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Bipole III

Transmission Reliability Project

Bipole III is a proposed new high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project required to improve overall system reliability and dependability. The project includes the HVDC transmission line, energy conversion facilities, and system connections.

EIS Filed – Presents Final Preferred Route

On December 1, 2011, we submitted the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project to Manitoba Conservation. The EIS presents information on the environmental assessment for the project, including the 1,384 kilometre route. Read the news release.

The review and licensing process under the Manitoba Environment Act provides an opportunity for comments on the Bipole III EIS. We anticipate the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission will hold public hearings on the project. Subject to regulatory approval, the project schedule calls for construction to get underway in late 2012, with a 2017 in-service date.

Stakeholders Notified of Final Preferred Route

Consistent with our commitment to communicate with stakeholders on the status of route selection, landowners, communities, First Nations, and other interested parties are being notified by letter that a final preferred route has been selected. See the final preferred route map.

The route was chosen after extensive public and landowner consultation, conducted from February 2008 to March 2011. Input from the consultation process was reviewed and evaluated by our Bipole III environmental assessment team, resulting in the final preferred route. The Environmental Impact Statement assessing the project will be filed with Manitoba Conservation at the end of November 2011.

Potential route adjustment in the Tourond area

As a result of public feedback and on-going route evaluation process, we have identified a potential route adjustment in the Tourond area. See map of potential adjusted route.

Because this information has not been presented before, we will present the potential route adjustment for stakeholder comment. Local landowners located within one- half mile of both the proposed route adjustment and the final preferred route will be invited by mail to meet with Manitoba Hydro representatives to discuss this potential adjustment. We will also meet with the affected Rural Municipalities (DeSalaberry, Hanover, Ritchot).

Once these consultations are completed, a decision will be made regarding this potential route adjustment and local stakeholders will be informed. Supplementary materials reporting on the outcome of this consultation process will be filed with Manitoba Conservation.