Monday power outage blamed on lightning damage to Vanier hydro substation
Posted Jun 15, 2021 05:53:00 PM.
Hydro Ottawa is blaming lightning hitting some of its equipment in Vanier for a power outage that knocked out the lights to more than 38,000 homes and businesses, Monday afternoon.
In a note to the city councillors of the affected wards, Hydro Ottawa said lightning that struck some overhead wires near McArthur Avenue and de l'Eglise Street caused an overwhelming amount of electricity to surge into a nearby substation, damaging some equipment inside.
The number of hydro customers without power was quickly reduced to 2,700, but hydro crews had a few hiccups in trying to restore power to everyone.
“While we were confident power would be restored closer to 11 p.m., crews encountered unanticipated issues when trying to add load back on, with some breakers tripping,” a Hydro Ottawa spokesperson wrote in a note to city councillors. “As a result, the estimated time of restoration ended up further delayed.”
Power was restored to all customers by 3 a.m., Tuesday, the utility said.
Hydro Ottawa crews were scheduled to inspect and conduct repairs to its hydro substation, Tuesday.
Yesterday's power outage affecting our community briefing note.
