Improving Reliability
The Need for the Project
Approximately 75 per cent of our generating capacity is delivered to southern Manitoba via the existing HVDC Interlake corridor, which is shared by the Bipole I and II transmission lines.
Due to the heavy reliance on one transmission corridor and a single converter station in the south (Dorsey), the system is vulnerable to extensive power outages from severe weather (major ice storm, extreme wind event, tornado), fires, or other events.
Studies have concluded that a new transmission line and associated facilities would improve system reliability and reduce dependency on Dorsey Station and the existing HVDC Interlake corridor. The Bipole III Transmission Reliability Project would also establish a second converter station in southern Manitoba, to provide another major point of power injection into the transmission and distribution system.
In addition, Bipole III will reduce line losses on the existing Bipoles I & II and provide additional transmission line capacity from north to south.
Following an assessment of system reliability options and review by the Manitoba Hydro Electric Board and the Province of Manitoba, the decision was made to develop Bipole III on the west side of the province.
Fundamental to the decision was the concern for the protection of a proposed UNESCO World Heritage site on the east side of Lake Winnipeg and avoiding potential negative impact on U.S. export revenues due to lobbying by environmental groups intent on preserving the eastern boreal forest.
Bipole III Transmission Routing Study report, September 2007.
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