Restoring Power After a Storm

Power Distribution in PEI

Electricity travels through the grid from where it is generated, through the high-voltage transmission system, to the substation where the voltage is reduced so it can travel on the distribution system to your home or business. Before we can turn the power back on at your home or business, we need to make sure the electricity can safely travel through each part of the system. Download Restoring Power to Customers [PDF- 156KB] to learn about each step of the restoration process. 

 

Service Mast Damage

If your service mast is damaged:

Many homes and businesses will be restored with main lines, but in some cases, homes may require individual reconnection. If your service mast is damaged, you will need to:

  • Contact us to set up a service order;
  • Contact an electrician to repair your service mast; and
  • Let us know when the electrician has completed the repairs so we can safely reconnect you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maritime Electric know when my power is out?

Not necessarily. If the cause of the outage is related to one of our generating stations, transmission lines or terminals we will know immediately and begin efforts to restore power.  If the cause of the outage is a downed distribution line, we may not know until a customer calls to advise us of the situation. Please check our online outage map to determine if the outage for your location has already been reported. This information is updated every 15 minutes. You can report your outage online or by calling 1-800-670-1012.

Why does only one side of our street have power?

This is a common occurrence, as different sides of the same street can be fed power from different parts of the distribution system. Check our online outage map (updated every 15 minutes) to ensure we are aware of your outage, and report it to us if necessary.

Why is my home the only one on my street without power?

If this is the case, you may have fuses or circuit breakers in your home that have tripped to stop power flow, or you could have a problem with the electrical entrance to your house. Please call Maritime Electric at 1-800-670-1012 to report your outage to a representative.

I haven’t seen a Maritime Electric crew near my house or on my street – does this mean you’re not working on my outage?

No, this is a common misconception. Some houses or streets are connected to parts of the distribution system located in another area. Just because you don’t see us on your street does not necessarily mean we are not working on your outage.

How long will my power be out?

Since every outage is different, it is difficult to tell how long a customer will be without power. We do our best after major storms to quickly assess the situation and inform customers who may be without power for extended periods so they can prepare.

How does Maritime Electric prepare for power outages?

We monitor weather patterns regularly to adapt to severe weather and prepare as best we can for any type of event.

We also:

  • Perform regular preventative maintenance including electrical equipment inspections, line patrols and tree trimming.
  • Conduct regular reviews and training to ensure all employees and resources are prepared to respond to any type of event.
  • Work closely with other utilities through mutual aid agreements in the event of a large outage.