Strong winds, ice cause power outage in Umiujaq

Power restored to community on Dec. 31 except for Umiujaq airport terminal

Strong winds and ice accumulation caused a power outage in Umiujaq on Dec. 30, leaving 73 customers without electricity in the community served by Hydro-Québec’s off-grid system. (File photo by Sarah Rogers)

By Nehaa Bimal

A day-long power outage that started Dec. 30 caused by strong winds and ice accumulation on power lines disrupted electricity service to 73 customers in the remote Nunavik community of Umiujaq.

The outage affected residents in the area, which is served by Hydro-Québec’s off-grid system, Lynn St-Laurent, the corporation’s senior communications adviser, said in an email to Nunatsiaq News.

Communities like Umiujaq, with a population of about 550 people, are not connected to Hydro-Québec’s main electricity grid and rely instead on local power plants to generate their power.

Due to severe weather conditions, line crews — who can only reach the region by plane — were unable to travel immediately.

St-Laurent said local operators and linemen in Umiujaq worked quickly to isolate the problem, restoring power to the entire community except for the airport terminal by Dec. 31.

For now, a backup generator is providing power to the airport terminal.

Because weather conditions have improved, Hydro-Québec’s line crews are now able to travel to the affected areas. Workers departed Québec City on Thursday, with stops scheduled in Akulivik, Puvirnituq and Inukjuak before reaching Umiujaq.

The exact arrival time remains uncertain, St-Laurent said, as the itinerary depends on weather in those villages.

Hydro-Québec has stated it cannot yet determine when the airport terminal’s power issue will be fully resolved.

St-Laurent said the utility is remaining in communication with Umiujaq residents and regional authorities to provide updates as the situation progresses.

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