2000 THE YEAR 2000 ARRIVED IN MANITOBA, and Manitoba Hydro's generation, transmission and distribution system performed flawlessly. The utility had spent three years working on the Y2K problem — ensuring its power system would continue to operate normally through the Year 2000 changeover. It was realized in the early 1990s that many computers and microchips had been designed to read only two digits for a year's date, meaning computers could potentially interpret the year 2000 as 1900.

NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY (NSP) of Minneapolis announced the selection of Manitoba Hydro and two other energy providers, to provide 900 MW of electricity, pending regulatory approvals. The purchase involved 500 MW from Manitoba Hydro for a duration of 10 years beginning May 1, 2005. The sale was effectively an extension of Manitoba Hydro's previous 500 MW sale to NSP, with modifications to various terms and conditions, including pricing.

INTERLAKE NATURAL GAS EXPANSION PROJECT began after enough customer sign-ups were achieved to make the project feasible. The $7.3 million project installed nearly 200 km of transmission and distribution pipeline and expanded natural gas service to the communities of Arborg, Teulon, Warren, and Riverton.

TATASKWEYAK AND MANITOBA HYDRO SIGNED HISTORIC AGREEMENT-IN-PRINCIPLE. The new agreement created a model of partnership between First Nations and the utility for future developments in the Tataskweyak Cree Nation's resource area. Specifically, the agreement provided the Tataskweyak, and potentially other Cree Nations within the Split Lake Resource Management Area, the opportunity to invest in the proposed Gull (Keeyask) Generating Station.

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2001 THE ISO 14001 ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD was achieved by employees from the Long Spruce Generating Station, Brandon Generating Station and Selkirk Generating Station. The certification of the three stations means that they meet the criteria set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for managing processes that have an impact on the environment.

AN AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE WAS SIGNED to develop new hydroelectric facilities with the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) and Manitoba Hydro, at a ceremony in Nelson House. The Agreement in Principle allows the First Nation to obtain an equity position by investing in the proposed Wuskwatim and Notigi generating stations, which are located in the NCN Resource Management Area.

THE MANITOBA ELECTRICAL MUSEUM AND EDUCATION CENTRE was officially opened. The new museum building, located at 680 Harrow Street in Winnipeg, incorporates some of the highest energy efficient features available with current technology. Established in 2001 by the Manitoba Electrical Museum Inc., an organization of retired Manitoba Hydro employees (Hydro-X) and retired electrical industry employees, the museum shows everyone who visits the marvels of electrical history.

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2002 MANITOBA HYDRO PURCHASED WINNIPEG HYDRO from the City of Winnipeg. On September 3, the official transfer of ownership of Winnipeg Hydro to Manitoba Hydro was completed. As of that date, the corporation officially took over the responsibility for generating, transmitting, and distributing electrical energy throughout all parts of the province.

MANITOBA HYDRO'S SELKIRK GENERATING STATION WAS CONVERTED to burn natural gas, one of the cleanest forms of thermally generated power. The project involved the conversion of the station's two boilers to natural gas and a new gas supply pipeline from Landmark.

THE NATURAL GAS COMBUSTION TURBINE PLANT at the Brandon Generating Station was officially opened in December. Built over two years at a cost of $177 million, the new 260 MW plant will help Hydro maximize export revenues while strengthening the security of the electricity system in southern Manitoba.

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2003 MANITOBA HYDRO ERECTED its first 60-metre wind-monitoring tower near Minnedosa — one of seven towers across the province that would eventually be built to provide information about favourable wind conditions. Data recorded from various sensors and instruments on the towers contributed to a better understanding of the best locations for future wind power development in the province.

A NEW DIESEL GENERATING STATION was officially opened in Shamattawa in October — substantially expanding the capacity of the existing diesel plant. Shamattawa, which is located approximately 800 km north of Winnipeg, is one of four remote Manitoba communities that continues to rely on diesel generation for its power supply.

MANITOBA HYDRO'S NEW DOWNTOWN OFFICE location in Winnipeg was unveiled. It was announced the site would encompass an entire city block on the south side of Portage Avenue between Carlton and Edmonton streets and north of Graham Avenue.

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2004 THE FOX LAKE CREE NATION, PROVINCE OF MANITOBA, AND MANITOBA HYDRO agreed to the terms of a settlement agreement to address the adverse effects of past hydroelectric development in the Lower Nelson River area.

A NET LOSS OF $436 MILLION was reported in Manitoba Hydro's 53rd annual report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004. The loss was primarily due to the prolonged drought conditions that affected normal electricity production at the utility's 14 hydroelectric generating stations.

THE CANADIAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE (CEEA) gave Manitoba an A for efficiency in its fifth annual National Report Card on Energy Efficiency – the highest grade in the country. A variety of Power Smart programs and initiatives contributed to the overall rating.

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2005 THE MIDWEST INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SYSTEM OPERATOR (MISO) launched the largest competitive energy trading market in the United States, responsible for dispatching all generation resources from participating members and setting real-time prices across 15 states. As the only Canadian member of MISO, Manitoba Hydro maintains control of its own generation and operates as an external participant.

MANITOBA'S FIRST WIND TURBINE, standing nearly 80 metres tall, was erected in April in St. Leon as part of AirSource Power's wind energy project. An additional 62 towers were constructed over the next year within a 93.8-kilometre radius to complete the 99-megawatt wind farm.

THE FINAL DESIGN for Manitoba Hydro's 22-storey downtown office was unveiled and construction began. The final design, which included public participation, incorporated a splayed twin office tower resting on a 2–3 storey podium

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2006 THE NISICHAWAYASIHK CREE NATION (NCN) AND MANITOBA HYDRO formally signed the historic Wuskwatim Project Development Agreement in June, following the results of a positive ratification vote in the community of Nelson House. The ratification authorized chief and council to sign the agreement with Manitoba Hydro to share in the ownership and development of the 200-megawatt (MW) Wuskwatim Generating Station. Construction on Wuskwatim got underway in August, with the start of a 48-km gravel access road to the site of the future generating station.

MANITOBA HYDRO ANNOUNCED AN R&D PROJECT to review the potential of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and the possible impact that the new technology could have on future Manitoba Hydro electrical load growth and energy markets. One of Hydro's fleet vehicles (a 2005 Toyota Hybrid Prius) was converted so that it has a battery pack that can be conveniently plugged in and charged at any standard 120-volt outlet.

THE POWER SMART RESIDENTIAL LOAN PROGRAM reached a milestone of $100 million in loans, an entire year ahead of previous forecasts.

A TERM SHEET WAS SIGNED WITH XCEL ENERGY'S NORTHERN STATES POWER (NSP) Company of Minnesota to provide over $2.2 billion in hydropower over 10 years, starting in 2015.

MANITOBA HYDRO'S AVERAGE NET GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS were 27 per cent below 1990 levels at the end of 2006, well exceeding the utility's commitment of a 6 per cent reduction under the national Voluntary Challenge and Registry program.

MANITOBA'S FIRST WIND FARM, near St. Leon, Manitoba reached full commercial operation. Manitoba Hydro purchases the power from the wind farm under the terms of a 25-year power purchase agreement.

NATURAL GAS SERVICE was extended to the town of Shoal Lake.

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2007 MANITOBA HYDRO RECORDED A NET INCOME OF $346 MILLION in the fiscal year, the second highest in the corporation's history. The corporation was also the largest exporter of electricity in Canada in the fiscal year.

A NEW HIGH VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT TRANSMISSION LINE was announced. The line would be built on the west side of the province, originating in northern Manitoba and terminating in southeast Winnipeg.

MORE THAN 920 GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS were installed in the province, a 40 per cent increase over 2006. Manitoba is the national per capita leader in the adoption of geothermal heat pump technology in residential heating systems.

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2008 A TERM SHEET WAS SIGNED WITH WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE for Manitoba Hydro to provide up to 500 MW of clean, renewable hydro power over 15 years, starting in 2018.

A PRIMARY GAS FIXED RATES PILOT PROGRAM was introduced. The new program offers customers an alternative to Manitoba Hydro's natural gas quarterly rate adjustments.

THE JOINT KEEYASK DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (JKDA) reached a milestone, with all four First Nation communities voting to ratify the JKDA and their respective Adverse Effect Agreements – a major step forward in developing the future Keeyask Generating Station.

THE FIRST EMPLOYEES MOVED IN to Manitoba Hydro Place. The highly energy efficient building is the corporation's new headquarters in downtown Winnipeg.

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2009 THE FIRST CONCRETE WAS POURED at the Wuskwatim Generating Station construction site. The pour marked a turning point in progress from preparing site infrastructure to building the station itself.

A SIGNING CEREMONY TOOK PLACE with Manitoba Hydro and representatives from the Keeyask Cree Nations (Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, Fox Lake Cree Nation and York Factory Cree Nation). It marked the official signing of the Joint Keeyask Development Agreement which outlines the partnership arrangements for First Nations' participation of the Keeyask Generating Station in Northern Manitoba.

MANITOBA HYDRO PLACE, the new corporate headquarters located at 360 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, officially opened.

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