Ice Removal Efforts Succeed at Bay d’Espoir Power Plant, Some Units Restarted
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. : Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro says efforts to remove ice blocking the Bay d’Espoir hydroelectric generating station have been “very successful,” allowing several units to begin restarting after a rare full shutdown of the facility.
The utility said Friday that a buildup of frazil ice — a slushy mixture of ice crystals suspended in water — had clogged the plant’s intake, forcing a complete shutdown for the first time since 1967. In response, a team of divers was deployed into the icy water, using air compressors to help break up and clear the blockage.
In an update posted to social media Sunday morning, Hydro said the ice removal work was progressing well and that multiple generating units had been brought back online. However, the utility said the units are being restarted gradually to ensure the stability of the provincial power grid.
Despite the progress, power warnings remained in effect Sunday. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Newfoundland Power continued to urge customers to conserve electricity and be prepared for the possibility of rotating outages.
Both utilities are scheduled to provide further details during a media availability at noon NT, which CBC News will carry live.
