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.
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WINNIPEG - The federal government announced funding for the Birtle Transmission Line Monday morning.
The project will help Manitoba Hydro build a transmission line from Birtle South Station in the Municipality of Prairie View to the Manitoba–Saskatchewan border 46 kilometres northwest. Once completed, the new line will allow up to 215 megawatts of hydroelectricity to flow from the Manitoba Hydro power grid to the SaskPower power grid.
The government said the transmission line would create a more stable energy supply, keep energy rates affordable and help Saskatchewan's efforts to reduce cumulative greenhouse-gas emissions in that province.
"The Government of Canada is proud to…
