Published 7:48 am Monday, August 24, 2026 By William Koblensky Varela Local Journalism Initiative Northern News Service A new generator for Iqaluit’s power plant arrived on Aug. 20 after weeks of short-lived power outages interrupted daily routines and business operations in Nunavut’s capital. The new generator required specialized transportation from the deep-sea port to the Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC) power plant between Hospital Hill and the Plateau, according to QEC. From 11 p.m. on Aug. 20 to 3 a.m. on Aug. 21, the generator was transported through town, crossing the four corners intersection just after midnight. A caravan of at least eight vehicles, including three RCMP cruisers and a QEC utility vehicle, accompanied Iqaluit’s newest generator from the port to the power plant. QEC employees guided Iqaluit’s newest generator by a wire-controlled flatbed loader, which inched its way from the port to the power plant. At the same time, the old generator was taken from the power plant to the port for disposal. Between Aug. 6-19, Iqaluit residents endured seven power outages that lasted between a few minutes and just over an hour, affecting individual neighbourhoods at times and the entire city in at least one instance. A planned power outage on Aug. 22 from 8 a.m. to noon affected residents on Nikku Lane, Palaugaa Drive adjacent to Creek Side and White Row, as well as Nipisa Street between Queen Elizabeth Way and Kuugalaaq Street. The Snack, the Survival Store, CBC, the Nunavut Employees Union building, and the NorthwesTel office were also in the the planned outage zone. On Aug. 13, QEC addressed the frequent outages with how the power corporation is planning to avoid interruptions in the future. “Two other generation units are not performing optimally. We are bringing in specialized consultants to assess these units and determine the necessary actions,” QEC stated. The utility said it was installing equipment to isolate smaller sections of the system when a fault occurs, to limit the area affected by an outage and fix problems more quickly. QEC added that its systems have been under strain in the territorial capital because of its aging power plant, increased population and more construction. Iqaluit’s power plant was built in the early 1960s.
Iqaluit receives new power generator after weeks of power outages
