Draft:Kemano-Kitimat Powerline

The Kemano-Kitimat Powerline is a double-circuit 220 kV three-phase AC powerline from Kemano Generating Station to Kitimat, where it supplies mainly a large aluminium smelter operated by Rio Tinto with power. The powerline, which was built in 1953, runs mainly through inhospitable terrain with large amounts of snow in the winter Just a little snow.., so helicopters of Sikorsky S55 helicopters were extensively used for work and transport. On some sections both circuits run on individual routes close to each other while on others they share the same towers. On some sections with indivual routes tubular aluminium towers instead of lattice towers are used. The advantage of these towers, which are equipped with a ladder inside their tubular structure is that they could be erected with a crew of 5 persons, however they had the disadvantage of oscillating in the wind. To surpress these oscillations dampers were until 1958 installed in these towers.

The most remarkable section of this line is the crossing of Kildala pass with two catenary structures at 53.707253 N 128.083283 W, which were built in 1955 and 2008 as replacement for towers in the valley destroyed by avelanches. The first catenary has a length of 1160 metres while the latter-built has a length of 1220 metres. Both catenaries, which carry the powerlines in a height of 150 metres are equipped with a helicopter pad for access of maintenance staff.

The powerline was at least in the beginning not only used for power transmission. Its PLC-system offered the only reliable communication system between Kemano and Kitimat.

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