Hay River, Northwest Territories, is getting a closer look at its electricity distribution system as the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) seeks a consultant to assess the local grid. The request for proposals, posted on September 2, 2026, calls for a comprehensive evaluation of the physical, electrical, operational, and grounding conditions of the system, with the goal of identifying deficiencies and recommending future upgrades to improve reliability and safety.
The study comes after a rocky start for NTPC as Hay River’s power distributor. The corporation took over from Naka Power Utilities on March 1, 2025, ending more than 70 years of service by the former Northlands Utilities. Since then, residents have faced significant power disruptions. In the summer of 2025, during maintenance at the Taltson hydroelectric facility, two backup diesel generators failed, causing outages of up to six hours amid 33 degree Celsius heat. The Taltson plant itself underwent a $101.9 million overhaul and $36 million surge tank remediation before returning to service in March 2026.
The new assessment is intended to guide future investments in the distribution system. The RFP states that the successful consultant will evaluate current conditions, identify problem areas, and provide recommendations to support reliability, safety, and modernization. Responses are due by September 23, 2026.
The study is also unfolding during a time of transition at NTPC. President and CEO Cory Strang, the corporation’s first Indigenous leader and a 28-year veteran, announced his resignation on August 28, 2026, effective December 31. The corporation is also recruiting a new chief financial officer due to a retirement.
Meanwhile, NTPC has filed a General Rate Application seeking an overall power rate increase of 24.8 percent. Both the Town of Hay River and the City of Yellowknife have registered as interveners with the Public Utilities Board to contest that request, adding another layer of scrutiny to the utility’s operations as it works to address the grid’s underlying challenges.
