Disel generators fail leaving Rankin Inlet residents in a state of emergency
Rankin Inlet remains in state of emergency after power failure - Non-essential services stay closed as crews attempt to fix generator
February 21, 2008
The Nunavut hamlet of Rankin Inlet remained in a state of emergency Thursday after three of the community's four diesel electricity generators failed.
All schools, Nunavut government offices and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. offices are closed Thursday and only emergency services are running.
The community health centre remains open on an emergency basis and is operating with an independent power supply.
Residents in the hamlet of 2,350 have been going through rotating blackouts since Wednesday night as a result of the mechanical failure at the local power plant.
Qulliq Energy Corp. hoped to have power restored later in the day, but the CBC's Jackie Sharkey, who is in Rankin Inlet, said restoring full power to the hamlet Thursday looks unlikely.
According to the utility, the plant's first diesel generator stopped working Tuesday and the second and third engines failed on Wednesday.
As of Wednesday night, the power plant has been generating about one-third of its peak output. The limited power that is available Thursday is being rotated throughout the hamlet for one-hour periods.
Qulliq Energy crews on site have determined that one generator was lost because of an engine fire and another required parts that are not currently in the community.
Crews hope to fix the third failed generator and test it later in the afternoon, Sharkey said. The fourth generator has not been able to provide enough power for the entire hamlet.
Officials with the utility said they have located two backup generators that can be used in the meantime.
Conservation urged
"Overnight, two large diesel generators were located. One was flown in from Yellowknife with First Air's Hercules [aircraft]. And we actually found one, it's owned by Nuna Logistics, it's just outside of Rankin Inlet at a rock crushing site," Qulliq Energy spokeswoman Meghan McCrae told CBC News.
"So we brought those in overnight and we're trying to set them up behind the plant as backup generators, just to get the levels back up, so we can get off rotating blackouts."
Rankin Mayor Lorne Kusugak said the hamlet will open the local Nunavut Arctic College campus as an emergency shelter if it is absolutely necessary, Sharkey reported.
Qulliq officials are urging residents to conserve energy and refrain from using appliances such as televisions, laundry machines, dishwashers and ovens. As well, they should keep on the minimum number of lights they need.