Temporary generators help restore community at Pukatawagan

After a wildfire threatened the First Nations community of Pukatawagan in July 2022 and damaged lengthy sections of the sole distribution power line feeding it, approximately 2,000 residents were forced to evacuate the small, remote town in Northern Manitoba, Canada. To return home as soon as possible, the evacuated residents needed a reliable source of power while Manitoba Hydro worked to replace 77 fire-damaged wood poles. Manitoba Hydro is a provincial Crown corporation and the province’s major energy utility.

Working with Manitoba Hydro, Aggreko installed two large industrial generators to temporarily restore power to the community, allowing residents to return home well before the power line was rebuilt and power restored to the community. The size and weight of the generators were far too large to be flown in. Fortunately, the wildfire didn’t spread to the rail line going into Pukatawagan, allowing Aggreko to bring in the temporary diesel generators by train, along with the equipment Manitoba Hydro needed to rebuild the line to restore permanent power. The two generators, plus a third generator added later, were continuously monitored and refueled by Aggreko while Manitoba Hydro crews repaired the power line. Without road access, helicopters flew crews and new replacement wood poles to make repairs. Essential services – from water and sewer to internet access – were put back into service because of the generators.

Aggreko and local utilities responded quickly to provide generators to the tight-knit community of Pukatawagan, where residents were affected by the emotional toll of temporarily relocating in hotels hundreds of miles away. Without the generators, residents were not expected to go home before October. Instead, they were able to safely return earlier in mid-August. With the installation and continuous operation of the three generators, Aggreko provided a temporary, reliable supply of energy for three months. This greatly benefited the 2,000 residents, helping to restore not only electricity, but a sense of community.

On October 8, 2022, the electrical supply to Pukatawagan was fully restored by Manitoba Hydro.