N.W.T.’s Taltson hydro faces $15M repair after severe corrosion. Diesel to power South Slave communities until December, NTPC confirms.
Taltson Hydro Faces $15M Repair, Offline Until December
Power Corporation Confirms Major Corrosion Issue
The Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) has confirmed that its Taltson hydro facility, a key power source for the South Slave region, will remain offline until at least December. A recent inspection revealed a severe corrosion problem inside the surge tank, a critical part of the facility that stabilizes pressure and stores water.
Extent of Damage Exceeded Expectations
The issue came to light during a July inspection, which found the tank’s condition had worsened more than anticipated since a 2015 and 2023 drone survey. NTPC president Cory Strang said the discovery underscores the difficulties of maintaining aging infrastructure across Canada’s utilities.
High Cost of Emergency Repairs
The utility estimates $15 million is required to address the situation, with $10 million dedicated to tank remediation and $5.2 million covering diesel production for South Slave communities while the hydro unit remains offline. NTPC argues this approach is the most cost-effective, as replacing the tank outright could cost more than $80 million and extend the outage by two years.
Diesel Generators Keep Communities Supplied
To maintain electricity supply, NTPC has connected temporary diesel generators in Fort Resolution and is installing additional units in Fort Smith. The reliance on diesel comes at a financial and environmental cost, but the corporation says it is a necessary interim measure.
Timeline for Return to Service
If remediation stays on schedule, Taltson is expected to resume operations in December, following a nine-week outage extension. Longer-term plans include constructing a new surge tank upstream within the next few years, timed to coincide with a new substation project to share costs.
Approval and Oversight
NTPC has submitted an application to the Public Utilities Board for approval of the emergency work. The corporation maintains that immediate remediation is the safest and fastest solution to restore hydroelectric power to the region.
