Hydro One recently addressed a significant power outage affecting over 11,000 customers in Sault. The incident occurred around 10:38 a.m. when an object likely made contact with a transmission line originating from the Third Line transmission station.
Details of the Power Outage
Hydro One spokesperson Tiziana Baccega Rosa reported that the exact cause of the disruption is still unclear. It is suspected that a tree limb could have interfered with the transmission line.
The company stated that when an object contacts a transmission line, it triggers protective measures in the system. These measures help minimize the outage’s impact by limiting the number of affected customers. Once crews confirmed there were no physical obstructions on the line, they were able to restore service.
Crews and Equipment Response
The local power utility, PUC, dispatched teams to inspect the high-voltage line and confirmed that there were no visible issues found during their patrols. PUC spokesperson Lauren MacGillivray noted that such incidents can occur when protective equipment functions as intended to respond to unexpected events.
MacGillivray emphasized the collaborative efforts with Hydro One and the usage of available data to swiftly identify the affected line section. Following the repair efforts, power was restored to the majority of customers, and monitoring of the situation continues.
Subsequent Outage
Later in the day, at approximately 3:53 p.m., another outage incident struck. This new issue impacted 244 customers located near Superior Heights Collegiate and Vocational School, demonstrating the ongoing challenges in maintaining reliable service.
- Total customers affected by initial outage: Over 11,000
- Time of occurrence: 10:38 a.m.
- Location: Third Line transmission station
- Time of subsequent outage: 3:53 p.m.
- Customers affected by subsequent outage: 244
Hydro One and PUC remain committed to ensuring service reliability and will continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further disruptions.
