Taltson Hydro has been out of service since May 2023 when a significant overhaul of the 60-year-old hydro unit began.
The overhaul was originally intended to be completed in November 2023, but a seven-week evacuation of the site due to wildfires extended the project into February 2024. While recommissioning was underway earlier this year, contractors working on the project identified a significant alignment issue within the unit that had to be resolved before it could be safely and reliably returned to service. Engineers and hydro experts from both within the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) as well as from external sources have been working to resolve the issue over the past several months but have been unsuccessful.
As a result, the return to service of Taltson Hydro will be delayed until the unit can be disassembled to allow for the proper realignment of key components. It is expected that this work will take approximately five months to complete, with Taltson Hydro expected to return to service in January 2025.
South Slave hydro communities have been powered by local diesel generators while the Taltson hydro unit has been offline. Those generators will continue to provide primary power to Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, Hay River, Enterprise and K'atl'odeeche First Nation until Taltson Hydro can be returned to service.
Prior to the site evacuation, the overhaul project was advancing on time and on budget, which was originally estimated to be $60M to $70M. The revised estimate to complete the overhaul is now approximately $97 million, which includes the cost of fuel used to power NTPC's South Slave customers while Taltson is offline. Some of the costs will be included in NTPC's next General Rate Application but full cost recovery will be spread over time so that customers today are not expected to pay all the costs for a project that will support reliable power supply for many decades.
NTPC is a wholly owned subsidiary of NT Hydro, which in turn is 100 percent owned by the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Quotes
"While it is disappointing that the Taltson overhaul faces further delay, it is critical that this valuable asset does not return to service before remaining issues are resolved. NTPC management and its Board of Directors have taken a cautious and responsible approach to the return to service, recognizing that extending the life of an existing asset like Taltson is the most economical way to power the South Slave over the long-term."
Caroline Wawzonek, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation
"The Taltson overhaul is one of the largest project's in NTPC's history. While we recognize that project delays have been frustrating for customers as well as everyone working on the project, we are committed to completing the Taltson overhaul so that South Slave communities can continue to be powered by clean hydro for the next 50 - 60 years."
Cory Strang, President and CEO of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation
Quick Facts
- The Taltson Hydroelectric Facility was constructed in 1965 to support the Pine Point Mine.
- The current generation capacity of Taltson is 18 megawatts.
- Since 1986, the facility has provided primary power to communities in the South Slave region.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Doug Prendergast
Northwest Territories Power Corporation
867-874-5202
dprendergast@ntpc.com
