AltaLink discusses substation location

Albertans are using more and more power as the years progress but an aging support system gives AltaLink some concern of its reliability.

Rather than duel with residents, the company hosted an open house Feb. 8 to answer questions.

Robin Boschman, senior communications advisor, said AltaLink wants to rebuild the transmission lines as well as upgrade existing substations, which are 40 to 50 years old.

“We are using more power and populations are increasing,” she explained.

AltaLink hosted preliminary discussions last summer to hear residents’ concerns of the project called the Red Deer Area Transmission Development; this second phase of four, is to talk about the preferred place for the substation.

“It’s an ongoing process, we have the open house, but stakeholders can talk one-on-one with advisers or by phone and email,” offered Boschman.

The company’s challenge is fairly large as it supplies power to 85 per cent of Albertans.

“Our job is to keep the lights on in Alberta,” she said.

Their goal is to find the lowest overall impact for the new lines. There were technical experts from the all levels of the company including technical experts to environment engineers, which Boschman felt was “an important part of the process.”

Garnet and Angie Lewis went to the open house.

“I’m happy with discussions with landowners, not happy with the proposed changes but glad they have included us in the discussion,” offered Mrs. Lewis.

Once all the feedback has been compiled, the company will submit its application to the Alberta Utilities Commission. If approved, the company will begin construction in the early part of 2013. The substation rests one and half kilometres northeast of Ponoka and AltaLink has proposed to move it a few miles east of its current location.

The company will also add a double circuit power line to connect the existing substation to the proposed one to provide uninterrupted power to residents during construction.

14 people attended the open house in Ponoka. AltaLink also hosted open houses in Innisfail and Lacombe.