POWER. Hydro-Québec is currently expanding the Magog substation located on rue des Pins. Begun in the week of 18 September, the works that led to the closure of rue Lacasse are organized over an eight-week period.
The goal is to increase production capacity to meet the growing electricity needs of the region.
Hydro-Québec will add two power lines to the substation and build a three kilometer underground gas pipeline, which will run from the substation to the intersection of chemin Roy and chemin Couture, taking rue Lacasse and rue Merry Nord.
This construction site includes obstacles on rue Lacasse to build a more robust underground distribution line there than overhead cables. According to Ève-Marie Jodoin, Estrie and Montérégie Regional Affairs Consultants at Hydro-Québec, this link will allow Magog’s newer substation to “take the place of Austin’s older substation in the event of a breakdown or equipment failure.”
The dismantling of older 49 kV equipment, such as that of the Austin substation, is also part of Hydro-Québec’s plans within about five years. “The Magog substation is designed to manage the entire network of the region alone,” adds Ms. Jodoin.
This work is part of the vast plan to modernize the Estrie electricity grid by 2035.
Signaling equipment will be set up to ensure road safety. The state-owned company ensures that the site is constantly monitored to ensure that the work meets safety standards.
Hydro-Québec will communicate, if it has not already done so, with the owners of the properties concerned to inform them of the construction site.
