It’s been 15 years since Atka first started working on a new hydroelectric power plant. Now, the facility is almost done.

Atka city manager Julie Dirks says the plant should go online by the end of the month, and will start generating electricity right away. Eventually, hydroelectric power will replace diesel as the main source of energy on the island.

But Dirks couldn’t say exactly when that will happen.

“I don’t want to give a drop-dead date, because things have the tendency not to go as planned out in Atka," she says.

Dirks says logistics and transportation have caused the biggest construction delays. This afternoon, Dirks said the city was waiting to see if a PenAir flight carrying their phone technician and electrician could make it out to Atka, or if they’ll be delayed until next Tuesday.

Getting supplies to Atka hasn’t been easy either.

“We ordered thirty feet of conduit that we were short from Alaska Ship Supply," Dirks says. "And it sat over in Unalaska for several weeks because passengers and baggage and U.S. Mail have priority over space on the plane.”

Dirks says construction should go smoothly for the rest of the month. Some of the final tests on the plant’s technical systems can take place remotely.

The project has largely stayed on budget, Dirks says. The final cost for the plant is just over $5 million. Federal and state grants covered construction, and the city covered labor and personnel.   

The city of Atka is also close to finishing construction on its new water treatment facility. Dirks says that facility should be finished this month.