One of the largest transformers in Saskatchewan has safely arrived at the Pasqua Switching Station near Moose Jaw all the way from South Korea.
Charles Shih, engineering substation supervisor, said it was part of a wider project, costing $60 million, for a new 230-kilovolt transmission line being constructed between the Poplar River Power Station near Coronach and Pasqua.
The transformer, which cost $4.2 million, had a long journey. It was built by Hyosung Corporation of South Korea and shipped to Houston, Texas.
“Then it had to go by rail and that took about four weeks to get to Moose Jaw,” Shih said.
A team from Mammoet, which specializes in transportation of heavy objects came from Edmonton to move the transformer from the rail car to its final location at the switching station.
“It’s going to be operational in June. There’s a lot of construction going on at Pasqua right now. The transmission line is being built right now,” Shih said.
Shih said the transmission will help reinforce the system and make the grid more reliable, meaning less power outages.
“It will definitely mean less power outages because this is more reliable,’ he said.
Read more in a future Times-Herald edition.
