As weather-related power outages continue to hit the North Island, many communities are working to find new solutions and decrease the issue.
The communities, called the North Island Sustainable Power Coalition, include Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Port Alice, Alert Bay, the Regional District of Mount Waddington, and the ‘Namgis, Quatsino, Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw and Kwakiutl First Nations.
The coalition is researching affordable and reliable sources to back up its electrical grid. It will include existing production and capacity to modify or expand power assets.
The group says the upgrades will be necessary after experiencing 29 power outages in 2021.
“We’re seeing more and more weather-related power outages, and climate change will only exacerbate supply reliability,” said Dennis Dugas, mayor of Port Hardy.
“An intermittent and unreliable power supply fundamentally affects the security and safety of our economy and people.”
Dugas adds the community has needed to spend over $1 million installing backup generators just to keep water and sanitary sewer services maintained.
The coalition also says power outages can be life-threatening for people who rely on continuous positive airway pressure machines, dialysis, or oxygen and need backup power to keep their health up.
The cost of the research project will total $25,000. Island Coastal Economic Trust says they will be contributing $12,500 from their Investment Readiness Program.
The project is expected to start soon and be finished in December.
