The power behind the power
Recognizing the people who power Alberta, every day

Whether you flick a switch or turn on your coffee maker, there’s a lot of work in the background that makes that power flow to your home or at the office.
Every day, if the sun is shining or the wind is howling, AltaLink’s field crews are out there maintaining, repairing and improving the electrical system that keeps Alberta running. July 10 is National Lineworker Appreciation Day, and we’d like to take a moment to thank and recognize the dedicated people who are the heart of this company.
From the tallest transmission towers to the intricate work inside substations, our crews make it possible to deliver safe, reliable and affordable power to millions of Albertans. Their job isn’t easy, and it certainly isn’t ordinary, but their pride, teamwork and commitment make it extraordinary.
The work that keeps the power flowing
“You don’t really know what you’re getting into – and then suddenly, it’s been 15 years,” says Adam Bowman, Transmission Lines On Site Work Leader.
Adam was introduced to the job by a family friend who suggested it might be more exciting than the oil and gas world. And it was. Now six years into his career at AltaLink and leading one of the line crews, Adam’s day starts early with paperwork, planning and making sure his team has everything they need to do the job – and do it safely.
“My responsibility is to make sure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day. That’s number one,” says Adam.
But it’s more than logistics. It’s managing land access, tracking materials, and making sure every person on the crew is equipped with the knowledge and confidence to tackle the day’s tasks.
“Always try and continue learning,” Adam advises those starting out. “You don’t want to get comfortable – there’s always more to know.”
Inside the electrical generation
In the world of substations, where the system’s most critical equipment is maintained and installed, Blair Mulder, Substation Technologist, thrives on variety. With nearly eight years under his belt at AltaLink, he says he’s glad to be in the utilities industry.
“I didn’t know anyone in the industry. It was just an opportunity that came across my radar. And I’m glad it did,” says Blair.
Working in substations involves everything from transformer maintenance to testing circuit breakers to supporting outage responses during wildfires.
“Every day is different. And every piece of equipment is unique – even if it’s the same type, it can behave differently. You have to know your stuff, and you have to be open to learning constantly.”
And what keeps him coming back every day?
“The work is fun. You’re outside, you’re hands-on and you’re doing it with people you trust. That makes a big difference.”
More than wires and circuits
Jesse Kowaluk, Protection and Control Technologist (P&C), has been with AltaLink for more than 15 years, building a career that reflects both curiosity and adaptability. He started as a substation technologist, moved into planning and scheduling and later transitioned into P&C to get back to the technical side of the work he enjoys.
Jesse’s days are anything but predictable.
“One day we might be doing routine maintenance on a protection system, and the next day we’re re-sealing meters or working with the substation group with major asset replacements like transformers or breakers. There’s a wide variety of scope, which is one of the reasons I came back into the field.”
For Jesse, some of the most rewarding moments come during emergencies, like large transformer failures or wildfire restoration.
“Those are the moments where multiple disciplines come together for one common goal. It really hits home. This is why we’re here. Everyone’s working as a team, and you can see the impact of what you’re doing in real time.”
The biggest challenge in Jesse’s field? Keeping up with how fast technology changes.
“We work on a mix of old and new equipment. The technology is constantly evolving, and it’s tough to be an expert in everything. It’s a lot of learning and troubleshooting – and then re-learning when you don’t see something again for six months.”
Despite the complexity, Jesse’s passion is clear.
“This job is never boring. There’s always something new, and you’re always learning.”
The true hearts of AltaLink
Whether they’re restoring power after a storm, replacing aging infrastructure or responding to wildfires, our field teams embody what it means to be dedicated, professional and resilient.
Their work is complex, technical, and ever-changing, and often invisible to the public eye until the power goes out. But behind every switch, every system check and every emergency response is a team of people who plan, maintain, troubleshoot and protect the electrical system that powers Alberta.
To all our field crews: thank you. You are the reason AltaLink can deliver safe, reliable, and affordable power every day.