Power grid inter-tie for Alberta, Saskatchewan could be out of commission for several months

Southern Alberta Newspapers

The inter-tie connecting power grids of Alberta and Saskatchewan near Empress gas plant complexes could be down until May, the owner of the McNeill Converter Station has told the Alberta Electrical System Operator.

Atco says the equipment failure at the station located in northern Cypress County, will require repair work, and that only emergency use of the line will be available during the winter months.

The connected line can provide about 150 megawatts of power (roughly equal to Medicine Hat’s non-industrial power demand) from one province to the other to even out supply shortages in either.

The system was tested briefly in December for short periods of time, but will otherwise be considered to have zero capacity outside of grid alerts until the work is completed in the spring.