Alert

NL Hydro Issues Second ‘Power Watch’ for Island Customers Friday Morning

By Eddie Sheerr·January 23, 2026 · 5:51 AM

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has stated that a Power Watch will be in effect for Island customers starting 6 AM Friday due to rare frazil ice impacting the Bay d’Espoir hydro system. No action is required from customers, and the watch is expected to end once the morning peak demand passes.

At this time, customers do not need to take any action. Power supply is being closely monitored, and Hydro expects the watch to end once electricity demand drops after the morning peak period.

Hydro is advising that a Power Watch will be in effect for Friday morning (January 23) for the island. There is NO ACTION required by customers at this time, but we are watching the system closely.

This is a result of the continued frazil ice conditions along our Bay d'Espoir… pic.twitter.com/Hre9vRY3QR

— NLHydro (@NLHydro) January 23, 2026

What’s Happening?

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has issued a Power Watch for Island customers beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23.

At this time, customers do not need to take any action. Power supply is being closely monitored, and Hydro expects the watch to end once electricity demand drops after the morning peak period.

Why Is the Power Watch in Effect?

The watch is related to frazil ice continuing to impact water intake areas along the Bay d’Espoir (BDE) hydro system.

Frazil ice is a slushy form of ice that develops in turbulent, super-cold water. While it’s relatively common in parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, this event is extremely rare at Bay d’Espoir — only the second time in the plant’s history that frazil ice has occurred there.

What Is Being Done?

Hydro crews are actively responding:

• Underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) have been deployed to assess the extent of ice buildup

• A team of divers will work to physically remove ice from underwater structures

• The system is being monitored around the clock to ensure stability and reliability

What Does a Power Watch Mean?

A Power Watch is not a power outage and does not mean customers should reduce usage at this time. It’s an early-stage advisory indicating that system conditions are being carefully managed due to unusual operational challenges.

Hydro will issue further updates if conditions change.

Stay Updated

Hydro says it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as work continues to reduce impacts on the power system and customers.