SaskPower will be digging up underground lines this summer in a number of cities including P.A. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Summer construction season

SaskPower to replace underground lines

Jul 16, 2019 | 5:00 PM

SaskPower is putting shovels in the ground this summer.

The power utility plans to spend $15 million replacing underground cables and installing duct work across the province. The work is slated to take place in a number of cities including Prince Albert, where crews will be working in Carlton Park starting around August and wrapping up in November.

SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry said they will be looking to keep residents in the area up-to-date if there are to be any service disruptions.

“If we do have to plan a power outage in your area, you’ll receive a visit from a SaskPower contractor or we’ll put a notification in your mailbox,” he said.

According to Cherry any power disruptions would not be likely to last for a long period of time.

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In total, SaskPower plans to replace 17 kilometers of underground cable which have outlived their lifespan. Along with replacing cables, there are also plans to install 80 kilometers of duct work. SaskPower said the duct work is expected to make it easier to install underground lines in the future and make lines more accessible for repairs.

Cherry explained making repairs and replacing any power distribution infrastructure is important given one third of unplanned power outages in the province are a result of old equipment failing. He added doing work like this is a good way to get in front of these problems.

“Getting out there and making some of these replacements [is] a good proactive way to help prevent outages in the future,” he said.

Besides P.A., work will also be taking place in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Regina.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn