Major repair at Des Sources substation prompts overnight power outage across West Island
Montreal — A major Hydro-Québec planned outage will plunge large portions of Montreal’s West Island into darkness overnight as the provincial utility replaces critical electrical infrastructure at the Des Sources substation in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
According to Hydro-Québec, roughly 64,000 customers will be affected by the power outage starting at 9 p.m. Friday and lasting until 6 a.m. Saturday. The utility says the work is “unavoidable” and necessary to prevent a larger, unplanned outage during the colder winter months.
Why the planned outage is happening
Hydro-Québec spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard explained that engineers recently discovered a piece of equipment that must be replaced immediately.
“We became aware in recent weeks that we need to replace this piece of equipment before the winter,” said Bouchard. “If we don’t proceed with the work, we’re at risk of having an outage that would not be planned and would take even longer to fix.”
The Hydro-Québec planned outage will impact homes and businesses across several West Island municipalities, including Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Pointe-Claire, and Kirkland.
Utility officials emphasized that the work is part of ongoing maintenance to modernize aging infrastructure and ensure reliable power delivery throughout Quebec’s electric grid.
How residents can prepare for the power outage
Although temperatures are expected to dip to –1°C, Hydro-Québec officials reassured customers that homes should retain most of their heat during the outage.
“If your house is around 20 degrees when the outage starts, it should be around 15 or 16 degrees by the time we’ve done with the work,” said Bouchard.
The company recommends that residents:
- Preheat their homes slightly above normal before 9 p.m.
- Charge phones and medical devices in advance.
- Unplug electronics or use power bars to protect against surges when the power returns.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food.
Residents concerned about the scope of the West Island power outage can check Hydro-Québec’s online interactive outage map, which updates in real-time with restoration progress.
Safety reminders from emergency officials
The Quebec Red Cross also issued guidance urging residents to prepare for potential delays in restoration. Sébastien Labranche, emergency management director for the Red Cross, reminded the public to be ready for at least three days of potential disruption during any major outage.
Essential items include:
- Bottled water and non-perishable food
- Flashlights, batteries, and warm blankets
- Medications and essential hygiene products
- Sleeping bags or camping gear in case indoor temperatures drop
Officials also issued an important safety warning: residents should never use barbecues or camping stoves indoors, as doing so can cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
Both Hydro-Québec and emergency services say the same precautions apply for any planned or unplanned power outage, especially during the province’s harsh winter months.
Power restoration and what comes next
Hydro-Québec anticipates that electricity will be fully restored by 6 a.m., barring unforeseen issues. Crews will remain on-site overnight to monitor progress and respond to any complications.
This Hydro-Québec planned outage is part of a larger maintenance effort across the province to modernize substations and transmission lines ahead of peak winter demand.
The utility has faced increasing pressure to strengthen infrastructure after several unplanned power outages over the past two winters, which left tens of thousands of Quebecers in the dark for days.
While the West Island power outage will cause temporary inconvenience, Hydro-Québec says it is a preventive step to avoid far more disruptive failures in the future. The company’s proactive approach underscores the balance between short-term discomfort and long-term reliability.
Community response
Local residents have expressed mixed reactions to the Hydro-Québec planned outage, with some praising the utility for transparency and others voicing frustration about timing.
City officials in Dollard-des-Ormeaux and Pointe-Claire are encouraging residents to check on vulnerable neighbors — particularly seniors — to ensure they remain warm and safe through the night.
Despite the challenges, energy experts say this maintenance is a necessary investment to prevent infrastructure degradation and improve grid resilience in the face of growing electricity demand across Quebec.
Final thoughts
As Hydro-Québec carries out overnight maintenance, West Island power outage updates will continue through the utility’s website and media advisories. Residents are encouraged to remain prepared, stay safe, and plan for short-term inconvenience in exchange for a more stable power grid heading into winter.For more updates on energy infrastructure and sustainability in Canada, visit StartupNews.fyi.
