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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The calls of Yellowknife residents for Northwest Territories Power Corporation's leadership to speak up on Yellowknife power outages were acknowledged on Wednesday when Brendan Bell, chairperson, and Emanuel DaRosa, president and chief executive officer of the power corp, held a press conference at Jackfish Power Plant.

Emanuel DaRosa, president and chief executive officer of the power corp., answers questions during a press conference at Jackfish Power Plant on Wednesday. - Lyndsay Herman/NNSL photo

One of the most significant statements to come from the conference was DaRosa's commitment to decrease the number of power outages in Yellowknife by 70 per cent by 2015.

"As you can imagine, I get a lot of e-mail, a lot of phone calls because of the frequency of outages," said Bell. "I hear about it in my own house. We're well aware that this is something that has become quite problematic. As a former business owner in downtown Yellowknife I remember all too well the frustration and the expense of power outages."

DaRosa reviewed the corporation's 18-point plan to demonstrate how it would decrease the number of outages.

He said the corporation ultimately intends to decrease the number of outages by preventing causes, such as faults caused by lightning, wildlife, or trees contacting with power lines, and improving the stability of the system so that when faults do occur they affect as few customers as possible.

While the plan includes some significant upgrades to the system and consultation with outside experts, DaRosa pledged no customer would experience any additional rate increase due to the 18-point action plan.

"There will be no further rate increase with regards to this work," DaRosa said. "We're going to work within our existing repairs, maintenance, and replacement budget."

The power corp. currently has an application before the Public Utilities Board requesting a 29 per cent rate increase over four years.

After power went out for the 52nd time on Sept. 11, more than 600 frustrated Yellowknifers joined a Facebook group entitled "Yellowknifers want power ... OR MONEY" to voice their concerns over the quality of the power.

Some members have called for action, some simply called for acknowledgement and some have called for compensation.

While the power corp. issued its 18-point action plan and the corporation's leadership have come forward to speak to their customers, DaRosa said compensation is not on the table.

"I certainly empathize with the frustration of customers," said DaRosa.

"There is no question that it is frustrating when the power goes out ... However, the NTPC, like all utilities in North America, cannot guarantee power to its customers."

Fact file

Power outages territorially and nationally

- The average Yellowknifer experienced 16 power outages lasting approximately 30 minutes each in the last 12 months.

- The average Canadian experienced 2.6 power outages lasting approximately 2.3 hours each in the last 12 months.

Source: Nothwest Territories Power Corporation

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