Power Outage Hits Thousands as Transmission Line Trips
On Tuesday evening, a significant power outage impacted thousands of households across Newfoundland and Labrador. The outages stretched from St. John’s to Corner Brook, affecting various regions of the province.
Cause of the Power Outage
The disturbance was initiated by a trip on a transmission line operated by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. This utility company is responsible for generating approximately 90% of the electricity used on the island. The trip triggered what is known as ‘frequency load shedding,’ a measure that temporarily disconnects certain customers to maintain system stability.
Areas Affected
Power disruptions were felt in numerous areas, including:
- Avalon Peninsula
- Burin Peninsula
- Central Newfoundland
- Corner Brook and surrounding regions
This incident marks the second occurrence of this nature in recent weeks. A previous similar incident in September resulted in a lengthy overnight outage affecting many communities.
Power Restoration Efforts
Despite the widespread outages, not all households were impacted. Some regions maintained their power, showcasing the utility’s ability to manage the situation effectively.
Customer Advisory
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro provided a notice to customers, explaining that the transmission line trip led to a “brief outage for pockets of customers.” This under-frequency load shedding is a precautionary action designed to ensure the grid’s stability during unexpected disruptions.
Utility efforts continue to enhance system reliability and minimize future occurrences of similar outages.
