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PALM BEACH, FL (January 10, 2019) — The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today presented Hydro One Networks Inc. with the association’s “Emergency Recovery Award” for its outstanding power restoration efforts after a windstorm in May 2018 and severe thunderstorms and three tornadoes in September 2018.
The Emergency Recovery Award is given to select EEI member companies to recognize their extraordinary efforts to restore power to customers after service disruptions caused by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process. Hydro One Networks Inc. received the award during EEI’s Winter Board and Chief Executives Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.
On May 4, a severe windstorm hit southern Ontario with wind speeds up to 75 mph, resulting in 244,117 customers experiencing service outages in Hydro One’s territory at the peak of the storm. Due to their tireless work, Hydro One’s crews restored service to 100 percent of customers within five days after the storm, dedicating 117,000 man-hours to the recovery.
On September 21, severe thunderstorms and three tornadoes with wind speeds of up to 140 mph caused extensive damage across northeastern, central and eastern Ontario, resulting in 182,091 customers experiencing service outages in Hydro One’s territory at the peak of the storm. Due to their tireless work, Hydro One’s crews restored service to 97 percent of customers within two days after the storm, dedicating 90,000 man-hours to the recovery.
"The dedication of Hydro One’s crews to restore service throughout Ontario after a severe windstorm and three tornadoes illustrates our industry’s commitment to customers,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “Hydro One’s crews worked tirelessly in hazardous conditions to quickly and safely restore power. They are truly deserving of this award.”
“We are tremendously proud to be recognized by the Edison Electric Institute for the eighth time,” said Hydro One Chief Operating Officer Greg Kiraly. “When disaster strikes, we respond and do not quit until every customer has their lights back on. Our recent investments in technology have also helped us respond more quickly and more efficiently which has dramatically shortened the time it takes for us to restore power. In 2019, our customers will continue to benefit from additional enhancements we are making to our storm response process that will improve estimated restoration times and further streamline work.”
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EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 65 international electric companies as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.
Hydro One Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of Hydro One Limited, Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with more than 1.3 million valued customers, $25 billion in assets and 2017 annual revenues of nearly $6 billion. Our team of over 7,400 skilled and dedicated regular and non-regular employees proudly and safely serves suburban, rural and remote communities across Ontario through our 30,000 circuit km of high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km of primary distribution networks. We are one of only six utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Electricity Company designation from the Canadian Electricity Association. We also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis utilizing our extensive fibre optic network. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H).
