Extreme Weather Response

Extreme weather is becoming increasingly common as the global climate shifts, which means we can expect to see more frequent and intense storms, more extreme temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and storm surges. All these factors have the potential to increase the frequency and duration of outages that our customers experience.

We work hard to prepare our systems for extreme weather. When storms hit, we work around the clock to restore service to our communities as quickly and safely as possible. Each of our affiliates has emergency services restoration plans that set out the process and standards we work to achieve.

Storm Hardening

When the skies are clear, we spend time strengthening and upgrading our network to reduce the impact of storms and severe weather. This can include right-of-way widening, trimming or removing trees that are too close to power lines, replacing older equipment with new technology, and adding new equipment to help improve reliability.

Since 2010, Nova Scotia Power has spent more than $70 million on storm hardening the electricity system, above and beyond our normal $60 million reliability budget. And Tampa Electric invests more than $55 million USD annually in a 10-point plan to strengthen the grid.

Emergency Response

“Be prepared” is a sentiment that goes hand-in-hand with our No. 1 priority, safety. Emera companies face different challenges year-round, and work hard to be ready. In Nova Scotia, our Emergency Operations Centre serves as the nerve center during storm restoration planning and response, and is staffed with team members representing all aspects of the company. Tampa Electric’s seven Fold Out Rigid Temporary Shelters (FORTS) are a new and innovative addition to our fleet. These mobile command posts are designed for quick set-up at any location where crews are needed, providing temporary office space in the field.