ItSA国际影视传媒檚 business as usual for the NWT Power Corporation (NTPC), despite lower-water levels at the Snare Water Basin resulting in both diesel generators at the Jackfish Power Plant running on a 24-hour-a-day basis.

Doug Prendergast, manager of communications for NTPC, said the two diesel generators at the Jackfish Power Plant being able to go 24/7 with no rate hikes to consumers is tied directly to the financial contribution that the GNWT made this past month.

He said the turbines have been going since the low water emerged in the Snare system towards the end of the summer of 2022.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e needed to rely on a greater amount of diesel generation to power Yellowknife and (the) surrounding area,SA国际影视传媒� said Prendergast. SA国际影视传媒淎nd that, really, began around late summer, early fall of 2022. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e always looking to find ways to maximize hydro generation with the current alignment of generation in the Snare zone.

SA国际影视传媒淒iesel generation is the sole backup power source. So weSA国际影视传媒檙e using as much hydro as we can, and that is being supported by diesel generation.SA国际影视传媒�

Prendergast said the current situation is nothing new and that the low-water event occurs approximately once every eight to 10 years.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have sufficient generation capacity to meet the power needs of customers in the Snare zone,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淎nd, the GNWT made a one-time contribution of $15.2 million to help cover the increased cost of diesel, as well as the increased volume of diesel that is being consumed.SA国际影视传媒�

Prendergast said, obviously, the low water in the Snare system is problematic.

He said it does have an impact on the cost for NTPC to deliver electricity, but, in terms of any impact on customer bills at this point, the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 contribution will ensure that rates stay the same.

SA国际影视传媒淲e are hopeful that normal water levels will return,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he lower levels are, basically, a matter of naturally occurring conditions SA国际影视传媒� whether it be lower than normal snowfall over the winter or less rain. And the Snare Water Basin is what we rely on for our hydro generation.

SA国际影视传媒淭he water in the river is naturally lower.SA国际影视传媒�

Prendergast said it would not be appropriate to speculate on any impact climate change may be having on the situation.

He said while there are lots of things happening out there that might incline one to point to climate change, the current situation is not a new phenomenon.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is a situation that has gone on for a number of decades, in terms of this very specific issue of low water in the Snare system,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭here is no fear of not enough power being generated, in terms of there not being sufficient power to meet community demand. That is not a concern.

SA国际影视传媒淭he intent and the desire is to produce as much power from hydro as possible because it is, obviously, cheaper.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut we rely on, sort of, the naturally occurring water levels that will help determine how much hydro we can generate.SA国际影视传媒�