As Quebec continues to recover from a devastating ice storm that knocked out power to more than 1.1 million homes and businesses, experts are raising concerns about the resilience of the province's electrical grid. Many Quebecers remained without power for days, and some even a week after the April 5 storm hit. The lengthy outages have raised questions about the province's ability to withstand severe weather events and maintain a reliable power supply.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, François Bouffard, an electrical engineering professor at McGill University, said that as Quebec becomes increasingly reliant on electricity, the province's utility and its municipalities need to think seriously about how to strengthen the grid. Bouffard highlighted the need to bury more power lines, especially in highly populated areas, as well as around important facilities like hospitals. However, he acknowledged that burying power lines comes with significant costs for both the utility and homeowners.
Éloïse Edom, a research associate at the Institut de l’énergie Trottier at the Polytechnique Montréal engineering school, emphasized the need for Hydro-Québec to reinforce lines and poles with new materials and increase its budget for tree pruning. She also suggested burying power lines in dense urban areas to reduce the frequency of outages.
The issue of preventive maintenance was also highlighted in a December report by Quebec's auditor general, which found that Quebec was experiencing more power outages, and those outages were lasting longer. Many utilities, including Hydro-Québec, have cut back on preventive maintenance to save money, which leaves the grid vulnerable to severe weather events.
As the effects of climate change continue to be felt across the country, severe weather events like the recent ice storm in Quebec are becoming more frequent and severe. This has led to a growing recognition of the need to build more resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather conditions. According to a report by insurancecanada.info, a website that provides information on insurance products and services in Canada, the insurance industry is playing an increasingly important role in promoting resilience. Insurers are working with governments, businesses, and communities to identify vulnerabilities and develop strategies to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
In conclusion, the recent ice storm in Quebec has highlighted the need for greater resilience in the province's electrical grid. Building more resilient infrastructure and implementing preventive maintenance measures are essential to ensure a reliable power supply in the face of severe weather events. As experts have pointed out, this will require significant investment from both the utility and homeowners. However, the long-term benefits of a more resilient grid will far outweigh the costs.
The insurance industry can also play an important role in promoting resilience by working with stakeholders to identify vulnerabilities and develop strategies to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.