Hydro One gives council annual update
By ALAN LICZYK Staff Reporter

Hydro One Networks Inc. dealt with power outages from three major storms plus 670 trouble calls locally this year, a representative told Caledon council last Tuesday.

Terry Bateman, customer operations manager for the Orangeville area, provided the details in Hydro One's annual update. He talked about the power interruptions, local work and local staffing.

"All the work we do we try to do as safe as possible," he told council. "We go to great lengths to prevent accidents."

The three major storms to hit the area occurred May 31, July 18 and Aug. 2, he explained.

There were severe thunderstorms May 31 which resulted in 24 transformers and four poles being replaced. Forty power line maintainers plus support staff worked around the clock to restore power. Severe winds and lightning

caused 15 broken poles in the July 18 storm. Five broken poles on Regional Road 50 north of Bolton caused major outage to Palgrave, Caledon East, Bolton's north hill and areas in between. Some flickering of lights occurred while repairs were being made. This round-the-clock effort involved 58 power line maintainers plus support staff.

It was severe winds and lightning again that caused many trees to fall on lines in the Aug. 2 storm. Many lines were taken down. This time 48 power line maintainers plus support staff restored power.

Bateman noted projects completed this year above and beyond the regular maintenance programs include the Bolton King Station being rebuilt to improve switching capability. A new transformer was installed and all feeder cables were replaced. As well, fault indicators were installed on various feeders at Cedar Mills F3, Kleinburg M8 and Kleinburg M5.

He added line improvements to be completed this year include the switch gear being replaced at Bolton Landsbridge, a load break switch replacement at

Boston Mills DS and an insulator replacement on Kleinburg M6 feeder Old School Road.

Line improvements upcoming in 2007 include the widening of Coleraine Drive in a joint effort with Caledon which will cost Hydro One more than $2 million. There's also the Bolton switching improvement which will cost about $250,000. The Airport Road widening in a joint effort with Peel region will cost Hydro One $500,000. There will also be a new tie between Bolton Hardwick station and Macville station.

Future line improvements in 2007 and beyond include a new 16,000 volt station installation at Snelgrove and

voltage conversion in the surrounding area at a cost of $3 million in 2008. A new 44 kV feeder will be installed in the Bolton area by 2009 at a cost of $3 million. There will also be line rebuilds on Mount Hope Road, Mount Pleasant Road and in the Boston Mills area. A refurbishment will be done at Bolton Hardwick DS.

The current Hydro One staffing in the Orangeville area includes 16 permanent power line maintainers, four distribution engineering technicians, two meter readers, staff on call 24 hours a day seven days a week and 25 extra power line maintainers working in the area on construction projects.