Baker-Shannon 115kV Upgrade

Potelco recently completed a critical upgrade to the Baker-Shannon transmission line, a 115kV line stretching from Baker Dam on Baker Lake to the lower Baker Dam on Lake Shannon. This project, aimed at mitigating fire risks, involved replacing 38 structures or a total of 94 poles, stretching over 8.5 miles.

Our team faced significant challenges, primarily due to difficult access. Due to their locations, all 38 structures required us to establish structure specific access routes, some in environmentally sensitive areas requiring the use of specialized tracked equipment to minimize impact.

The most demanding aspect of the project involved three structures that were almost completely inaccessible by ground. For these, we employed helicopter assistance to fly in a total of nine poles.

As part of the fire mitigation efforts, we implemented fire-resistant wrapping on the new structures, enhancing their resilience against potential wildfires.

The project commenced in March and was successfully completed on schedule by the end of June. Our crews worked diligently to balance this upgrade with ongoing power generation and fish operations at the Baker facility.

This upgrade significantly enhances the safety and reliability of the power grid in the area, particularly in terms of wildfire prevention. As the main contractor, Potelco is proud to have successfully executed this complex project, demonstrating our commitment to safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.