Teamwork helps Pangnirtung residents pull through power outage

When the mayor of a small Arctic community first learned about the April 2 fire that destroyed Pangnirtung's power plant, he wondered if residents would have to be evacuated. 

But Mosesee Qappik says everyone has been working together to deal with the situation, which resulted in a state of emergency being declared in the hamlet. Qappik say people in his community have shown a lot of support and compassion, offering up small generators, Coleman stoves and food. 

The hamlet now has temporary back up generators providing power but people are still being asked to conserve energy. 

Qappik said communication between leaders co-ordinating the response worked well. 

"We've worked with emergency crews all this time and the Qulliq Energy has kept us up to date all this time. So this has been very helpful and they've been very supportive," he says. 

The Canadian Rangers provided support and Qappik says the hamlet council has met with officials every day to get the latest updates on the situation. 

The health centre and other essential government of Nunavut services are running again in the community. Schools are scheduled to re-open on Monday. 

Generators could come from Alberta, Texas

The Qulliq Energy Corporation says it plans to install a permanent generator in the community at the beginning of 2016 but in the meantime, it's figuring out how to work with Pangnirtung's runway. 

"Realizing the runway's too short for a Hercules or other large transport plane, we needed to find other means to send a large generator," say Jamie Flaherty, Qulliq Energy vice president.

"We've been able to get a heavy lift helicopter that can land in Pangnirtung."

Qulliq Energy said they have not decided where the helicopter will come from but said they will need to bring in four large generators from Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and Texas.

Mayor Qappik says this situation once again illustrates the need for a bigger runway in Pangnirtung.