Rare incident causes power outages across Alberta Sunday afternoon

Jun 7, 2020 | 9:20 PM

CALGARY, AB. — Power outages were reported Sunday afternoon in various parts of the province, including Red Deer, Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat and the west side of Lethbridge.

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) tweeted that it was related to inclement weather.

Communications Manager Tara Deweerd says the AESO has officially determined that a lightning strike on the B.C. side. caused all the fuss.

Fortis Alberta tweeted that the issue involved a tie line.

“We are currently experiencing an outage affecting multiple customers throughout our service area due to a loss of tie line from BC.”

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Electricity in Alberta is generated from a combination of gas, coal and dams within the provincial boundaries and large lines that tie into B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It means the province can import and export power depending on the circumstances. When importing power, which was the case Sunday, the outage involved an overhead line that connects the two large provincial grids.

Sunday’s outages are rare and electrical crews had the system returned to normal for most areas within an hour.

by Dori Modney with files from Josh Hall