Project overview
More than 70% of the electricity powering homes and businesses across Manitoba is generated in northern Manitoba. This electricity travels hundreds of kilometers to southern Manitoba through the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system, a technology adopted in Manitoba in the 1970s.
HVDC technology transmits large amounts of electricity over long distances with minimal energy loss. Electricity generated at northern hydroelectric stations starts as alternating current (AC), the type of electricity used in your house. It is converted to HVDC for transmission to travel south and then converted back to AC for use in homes and businesses. This efficiency makes HVDC the ideal choice for delivering reliable power to the province.
Manitoba’s HVDC system includes five converter stations and a network of transmission lines. Together they form the backbone of the province’s energy infrastructure, playing a vital role in delivering reliable electricity to communities across the province every day.
For decades the HVDC system has been critical to our ability to deliver electricity from the province’s northern generating stations to southern Manitoba. However, with the equipment at three of the five converter stations, Dorsey, Radisson, and Henday, approaching the end of its operational life, we are looking at options to upgrade the equipment to maintain the reliability of the system. Potential options include upgrading converter equipment at the existing sites or, if constraints prevent on-site upgrades, constructing new converter stations and associated infrastructure.
This proposed project represents a critical step in strengthening Manitoba’s energy infrastructure. Upgrades to the HVDC system go beyond replacing outdated equipment; they are designed to strengthen the grid’s resilience, improve efficiency, and support reliable electricity delivery across the province.
Timeline
- preliminary engagement: September 2024–May 2025
- engagement: TBD