Hydro-Québec Initiates Critical Transformer Replacement in Montreal's West End
Hydro-Québec has commenced a significant operation to replace a malfunctioning transformer at the Hampstead substation in Côte-des-Neiges, with a new unit expected to arrive on Wednesday. This repair follows a major outage that left approximately 15,000 customers without power over the weekend, with 2,000 still disconnected by Monday. The utility is working to restore more reliable electricity service to residents in Côte-St-Luc and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
Planned Outages Required for Network Upgrades
As part of the restoration efforts, Hydro-Québec has announced additional planned outages in the coming days. Crews are raising the voltage of distribution lines from 12 to 25 kilovolts to stabilize the network, a process that necessitates temporary power cuts. On Wednesday, just over 900 customers experienced an outage during this work, and a second distribution line will undergo similar upgrades soon, affecting different households.
Hydro-Québec spokesperson Pascal Poinlane emphasized the complexity of the operation, stating, "Installation will start immediately, but it takes several days — about a week. Replacing a transformer is a major operation." The utility has installed about a dozen generators at the substation to compensate for the reduced capacity during repairs.
Root Causes and Long-Term Solutions
The transformer failure occurred during cold weather, which placed excessive pressure on the network. Typically, three of the four transformers at the Hampstead substation can meet local demand, but the extreme conditions led to the breakdown. In response, Hydro-Québec is not only fixing the immediate issue but also implementing upgrades to enhance the network's capacity and robustness.
These efforts are part of a broader $4-billion modernization plan for Montreal's electrical infrastructure. The plan includes raising the network voltage across the city from 120 to 315 kilovolts to accommodate growing demand driven by population increase, electric vehicle adoption, and more electrical equipment in homes. Poinlane noted, "What we're doing now will improve the situation not just for the next few weeks, but until the new substation is in service."
Future Substation Replacement and Ongoing Projects
Hydro-Québec is also progressing with plans to build a completely new substation at the same Côte-des-Neiges site, with construction expected to be completed by 2029 after pandemic-related delays. Preparatory work has already begun. Poinlane explained, "The Hampstead substation has been in service for 70 years and has been modernized over time. We can modernize infrastructure, add capacity and replace transformers, but eventually the substation must be replaced entirely."
This project is one of many simultaneous upgrades across Montreal, with about 40 similar substations on the island undergoing improvements. The utility aims to prevent future outages and ensure a more resilient power grid for the community.
