An equipment malfunction at a substation in Montreal caused a power outage for thousands of residents over the weekend amid freezing temperatures. Hydro-Québec had identified the Hampstead substation as a weak point in the local grid and had plans to replace it since 2018. The outage was triggered by a breaker failure at the substation, a complex issue that required time-consuming repairs, including the installation of generators to restore power swiftly.
François Bouffard, an engineering professor at McGill University, highlighted the challenges in replacing a failed breaker, particularly for aging equipment that has been in use for over 50 years. During the outage peak, more than 20,000 customers in Montreal, Montreal West, and Côte Saint-Luc were without electricity, with some seeking refuge at warming centers. However, by late Monday, most residents had their power restored.
Hydro-Québec is in the process of rebuilding the aging Hampstead substation, with planned completion not expected until 2029. Upgrades to the power lines serving Côte Saint-Luc are scheduled for completion by 2031 to meet increasing demand. The rebuild aims to enhance the power grid’s reliability by replacing outdated equipment.
The pandemic delayed the project timeline, which began with public consultations in 2018. Residents affected by the outage expressed frustration with the lack of communication from Hydro-Québec. The utility acknowledged the need to improve communication and accuracy in outage-tracking information provided to customers. Mayor David Tordjman of Côte Saint-Luc emphasized the importance of implementing measures to expedite power restoration before the infrastructure upgrades are completed in 2031.