The Port of Montreal has officially commissioned its new electrical substation following two years of construction work, completing a key component of the broader CanEst Yard redevelopment project. The initiative relocated the former substation from CanEst Yard to Yard 42, freeing up valuable operational space while modernizing aging electrical infrastructure.
The project was delivered at a total cost of CA$13 million, below the initial budget estimate of CA$14.7 million. The new Substation 3 has a distribution capacity of 15.6 MVA and serves a significant portion of the port territory, covering sections 24 through 51 from the Berri entrance to Sicard Street, supplying electricity to both buildings and vessels along this stretch of the port.
The technical infrastructure includes a 25 kV auxiliary room with dual Hydro-Québec feeds, 25 kV switchgear on the ground floor, 12.5 kV switchgear on the upper floor with 11 vacuum circuit breakers, two capacitor banks, and a SCADA cabinet for operational monitoring and control. The principal challenge throughout the project was maintaining uninterrupted power supply to the port during construction, with continuous service delivery identified as the primary operational constraint governing the work's execution.
The Port of Montreal manages a total electrical network of seven substations, making the reliability and modernization of this infrastructure essential to the continuity of port operations across the affected territory. The commissioning of the new facility strengthens the port's capacity to meet growing electrical demand while reducing operational risks associated with aging systems.
The project underscores the infrastructure investment priorities of the Port of Montreal, one of Canada's largest container ports. The modernization efforts are part of strategic initiatives aimed at maintaining the port's competitive position in the global supply chain.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Port of Montreal has commissioned a new 15.6 MVA substation at a cost of CA$13 million.
2. The project relocated the former substation from CanEst Yard to Yard 42, freeing operational space.
3. The new facility supplies electricity to sections 24-51 from Berri entrance to Sicard Street.
4. Maintaining uninterrupted power supply during construction was the project's primary operational challenge.
5. The Port of Montreal manages a total electrical network of seven substations.
