SASKATCHEWAN — High winds and damaged transmission infrastructure caused widespread power outages across southern Saskatchewan on May 14, with SaskPower crews responding to multiple outages stretching from the southwest to southeast parts of the province.
One of the largest ongoing outages affected Eastend, Robsart, Vidora, Consul, Claydon and surrounding rural areas near the Alberta and U.S. borders. SaskPower said damaged transmission structures and unsafe wind conditions delayed repairs overnight and into Thursday.
The Crown corporation said crews completed preparatory work for repairs, but high winds prevented work from resuming safely. SaskPower estimated power would not be restored before late afternoon Friday, May 15, for customers in Claydon, Consul, Eastend, Robsart and surrounding rural areas.
Additional outages were reported in Halbrite, Mainprize Regional Park, Midale and surrounding rural areas, with crews dispatched to determine the causes and repair timelines.
Outages were also reported south of Moose Jaw, affecting areas near Briercrest, Avonlea, Mortlach and Caronport.
Near Frontier and Climax, crews were also responding to outages north of Frontier, while separate outages were reported north of Gull Lake and in the Carmichael area.
In the Regina rural region between Qu’Appelle and Indian Head, SaskPower said emergency repairs to a damaged crossarm would result in a planned outage Thursday afternoon affecting customers north of Highway 1 and south to Deep Lake.
Earlier outages impacting numerous southwest communities, including Swift Current-area locations, Val Marie, Frontier and Shaunavon-area rurals, had largely been restored by Wednesday evening, SaskPower said.
