Tuesday Power Update

Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative and Tideland EMC are working really hard at restoring power and keeping us informed! Here's the latest update. 

Overhead Solution: Crews worked quickly yesterday to set the poles required to create an overhead transmission line that will run from the south end of the Bonner Bridge to meet the cooperative’s existing overhead transmission line. Two more poles need to be set this morning, then crews will begin installing the cables that comprise the 115 kV transmission service. The next steps will include connecting the new overhead cables in two places – to the existing underground lines just before the site of the damage and to the existing overhead lines that run the length of Hatteras Island. This is a highly technical and detailed process.

Underground Solution: The excavation team from PCL Construction worked through the night in the trench at the site of the damage. Water continues to be an issue, especially as crews dig deeper. In an attempt to overcome this issue, crews built a well and installed a pump last night. This water-removal method will be tried today. If it is successful, crews will continue to excavate until they reach the third and final cable, at which point specialists could begin the complex splicing process.

Timeframe: The progress made to each of these solutions narrows the timeframe for complete transmission restoration to 6–10 days. This includes the time required for testing after all construction is complete and before transmission service can begin to the islands again.