Cutting Edge Electricity Systems Keep Pearson Operating Seamlessly

Power is Freedom

Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada’s busiest passenger hub, handling over 44 million travellers and 450,000 aircraft every year. We may occasionally complain about a cancelled or delayed flight but we often don’t think about the impressive scale of operations of the airport itself.

And part of what makes it work so well is the complex power system and the highly skilled electricians and contractors who make it seamless.

Electrical contractor Marek Ciuba of Hart-Well Electrical Company has been “going to work” at Pearson for close to two decades. He lives in Mississauga and feels very blessed to be able to live and work in the same community.

It takes a lot of power to keep it working safely and reliably: almost 300,000,000 kWh per year. Two dedicated sub stations that could otherwise power a small city ensure that everything from air traffic control to the communications stay powered.

Hart-Well’s President Michael Mulgrew is equally proud of their work at the country’s busiest airport which allows millions the freedom to travel world-wide safely and reliably.

For an electrical system as complex as the one at Pearson, it could only have been built by the best trained electrical workers in the world. Over 1,100 members of IBEW Local 353 spent 3 years putting together Terminal 1 alone.

“Many people probably don’t think about the critical role the electrical infrastructure plays at an airport, particularly a large airport like Pearson. It takes highly trained and highly skilled IBEW electricians to make sure the work is done right and is done safely because millions of travellers depend on it,” said Mulgrew.

Hart-Well Electrical is a member of the Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO) and has a contractual relationship with IBEW to ensure the electricians on the job are well trained and certified.

The airport is connected to two different electrical grids, and even if those both go dark, there are banks of backup generators that would take over instantly. Travellers would continue to come and go, and everything would continue to operate safely.

“All of our members are so well trained that they can do whatever is required,” says Local 353 Business Manager Steven Martin. “IBEW electricians, communications workers and linespersons make the difference between whether or not a job can be done safely, on time and on budget.”

For one of the largest airports in the world, only the best technology would do. From body scans to keep flights safe to complex computer networks to keep passengers up to date, only electricians with the most up to date training could make it happen.

“Toronto is on the leading edge,” says Martin. “Our members are always looking for the next step forward. They see where the technology is going, and they know we can bring it forward.”

IBEW training programs are the most comprehensive in the construction industry. And they’re only available to IBEW members. They help us keep our commitment to being the best electrical workers in the world, he added.

They helped power the system that keeps Canadians moving freely wherever they need to go for business, for family, and for pleasure

Mulgrew said one of his company’s main focus right now is maintaining and when necessary expanding the airport’s electrical security system “In today’s world, the airport’s electrical security system can’t fail. It’s as simple as that.” We are proud of the work we do at Pearson.”

To hire an ECAO contractor click here. To learn more about the skills and training of IBEW electricians click here.