Customers to pay for power back-up centre
Utility spokesperson David Rodenhiser said what's being sought is a backup for the brains of the electricity system.
Right now, all power response originates from NSP's control centre at Ragged Lake, outside Halifax. It's a communications hub that monitors electrical generation, transmission and distribution throughout the province.
A back-up facility is located at Scotia Square in downtown Halifax, but the system does not meet new North American electricity reliability standards because it relies on remotely accessing the equipment at Ragged Lake.
"What the new standard requires us to have is a centre that will be fully functional in the event Ragged Lake is not there," explained Rodenhiser.
The new back-up control centre must be built by the first quarter of 2012 at a cost of $3.2 million. Construction is expected to begin this Spring at a new location at Tufts Cove in Dartmouth.
"It's a proactive step to be prepared for emergencies and I think Nova Scotians understand the value of that," said Rodenhiser.
Like any NSP capital project, the endeavour will be scrutinized by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
Rodenhiser said provided the UARB approves, the cost will be borne by customers.
Related News
Texas Weighs Electricity Market Reforms To Avoid Blackouts
HOUSTON - The Public Utility Commission of Texas is discussing major reforms to the state’s electricity market with the purpose to avoid a repeat of the power failures and blackouts in February 2021, which led to the death of more than 100 people and left over 11 million residents without electricity for days.
The regulator is discussing at a meeting on Thursday around a dozen proposals to make the grid more stable and reliable in case of emergencies. Proposals include paying power generators that are on standby when the grid needs backup, and requiring companies to pre-emptively buy capacity to meet…
