Waiting for a utility connection
Your building or plant is ready for equipment, but permanent service has a later energization date. A gap power package can carry the agreed loads while the utility completes its work.
Commercial generator rentalsPower before permanent service
Temporary & Gap Power
Keep your site working while permanent power catches up, with generator packages and field support from Red Deer.
- Operating since
- 2009
- Based in Red Deer
- Supporting Alberta projects
- Emergency dispatch
- 24/7, 365 days a year
Start work before the grid arrives.
A delayed utility connection can leave a finished facility waiting to start. Temporary gap power supplies the equipment you need to run while permanent service, switchgear or generation is being completed.
NexSource brings together generator rentals, distribution equipment and field support from Red Deer. Start with your load and the date you need power. We will work through the equipment and service scope with you, including what happens if the grid connection date moves.
Cover the gap in your project schedule.
Match the temporary supply to the work that can move forward. The load, duration and connection arrangements will differ for each project.
Commissioning a new facility
Bring selected systems online for startup and testing before permanent generation or grid service is available. Build the temporary supply around the commissioning sequence and the loads introduced at each stage.
Load banks for testingReplacing electrical infrastructure
Keep essential operations supplied while switchgear, transformers or the main service are being replaced. Agree on the isolation, temporary connection and changeover window with the site's electrical team.
Transfer switch rentalsBringing a large project online
Industrial facilities and data centres may need power in stages as equipment arrives. Discuss a modular generator arrangement, the next load increase and how the rental will end when permanent supply is ready.
Megawatt generator rentalsBuild the site package
Quote the full path from generator to load.
The generator is one part of the rental. Confirm the connections, fuel arrangements and service plan alongside it.
Generation matched to the job
Diesel, natural gas or propane options selected around the load, operating hours and available fuel. For larger loads, discuss multiple generators and the controls needed to operate them together.
Power delivered to your equipment
Identify the distribution panels, cabling, transfer equipment and any voltage transformation required between the generator and the connection point.
Fuel and service planned for the term
Confirm fuel storage, delivery responsibilities, site access and maintenance intervals before the rental starts. Longer operating hours make the service plan part of the equipment decision.
Plan the rental through to handover.
The expected grid date is the starting point. The plan also needs to cover changing loads, service access and the transfer to permanent power.
Define the operating load
Send a load list or single-line diagram. Include voltage and phase, motor starts, equipment added later and daily operating hours. Generator selection needs to account for starting demand as well as running load.
Confirm the site arrangement
Review the generator position, cable routes, fuel access, noise requirements and connection point. Identify who is responsible for the electrical connections, permits and commissioning in the quoted scope.
Plan for a moving end date
Share the expected grid connection date and any uncertainty around it. Ask about the rental extension terms, service visits and how capacity can change if the facility starts operating in phases.
Agree on the handover
Plan the transfer to permanent power with the site electrical team. Confirm the acceptable interruption, testing and equipment removal. Critical loads may need a suitable UPS or another ride-through arrangement during changeover.
Price the whole operating period.
Compare the total cost of the temporary supply over the expected term. Rental charges, fuel consumption, transport and service visits all affect the budget.
A larger set can leave you paying to run capacity the site rarely uses. A smaller set may struggle with motor starts or later load additions. Send the load profile so NexSource can help size the package.
For an early estimate, use the generator sizing and fuel calculators. Final selection and fuel planning depend on the equipment and duty.
For a useful first quote, send:
- The site address, access details and required start date.
- Your load list, voltage and phase, or a single-line diagram.
- The expected operating hours and permanent power date.
- Available fuel, connection details and any critical loads.
If the load is still being worked out, tell us what needs to run. The team can help you identify the next information to gather.
Temporary & gap power questions.
What is temporary gap power?
Temporary gap power is an interim electricity supply used until a permanent source is ready. It is also called bridging power or bridge power. A generator package supplies the agreed site loads during a grid connection delay, permanent generator installation or electrical infrastructure upgrade.
How is gap power different from standby power?
Gap power usually supplies a site for an agreed period while it waits for permanent service. Standby power is kept available to support loads when their normal source fails. The expected running hours and load profile affect generator selection and maintenance. Tell NexSource how the equipment will operate so the package can be specified for that duty.
Can NexSource supply power while we wait for a grid connection?
Yes. NexSource provides temporary gap power for industrial facilities awaiting permanent grid connection. Share the site location, load requirements, required start date and expected utility connection date. Equipment availability, delivery timing and the installation scope are confirmed for each project.
Can temporary power run continuously for several months?
A package can be planned for an extended operating period, subject to a suitable generator rating, fuel supply and maintenance arrangement. Continuous operation needs a service plan from the start. Discuss rental extensions, refuelling access and any redundancy required to support your operations during service work.
Should I use diesel or natural gas for bridging power?
The choice depends on the available fuel, load, operating hours and site conditions. Diesel can suit a site that needs self-contained fuel storage. Natural gas or propane may be considered where a suitable supply is available. NexSource can review the options; fuel quality, pressure and delivery arrangements must be confirmed for the selected equipment.
What does a temporary power package include?
The package is quoted around the site requirements. It can include generators, distribution panels, cabling, transfer equipment, transformers and fuel storage. Installation, commissioning and ongoing field support should be defined in the scope, including the responsibilities of NexSource, your electrical contractor and your fuel supplier.
How much does temporary gap power cost?
A written quote depends on generator capacity, operating duty, rental duration, distribution requirements and site location. Fuel, transport, connection work, maintenance and any redundancy also affect the total cost. Send a load list and project dates so NexSource can price the package and identify what is included.
Can we change over to permanent power without an interruption?
The transfer arrangement determines the interruption. A standard transfer switch does not guarantee uninterrupted power. Loads that cannot tolerate a break may need a suitable UPS or another engineered ride-through arrangement. The site electrical team should agree on the changeover method and any utility requirements before the temporary supply is installed.
Where does NexSource supply temporary and gap power?
NexSource operates from Red Deer and supports projects across Alberta, including Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray and Drayton Valley. For projects elsewhere in Western Canada, contact the team to confirm scope, logistics and equipment availability. Emergency dispatch is available 24/7 at (403) 887-4567.
Talk through your project
Tell us when your site needs power.
Send your site details and the gap you need to cover. NexSource will review the requirements, confirm equipment availability and prepare a project-specific quote.
Based in Red Deer, supporting projects across Alberta. For work elsewhere in Western Canada, ask the team to confirm logistics and scope.