Converter stations

A significant amount of Manitoba’s electricity is produced by our northern hydroelectric generating stations on the Nelson River. The electricity travels long distances on bipole transmission lines to southern Manitoba as high voltage direct current.

It is more efficient and economical to transmit electricity as high voltage direct current. The northern converter stations change alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for transmission, and our southern convertor stations then change it back to AC. Convertor stations have large transformers which can either step up or step down the voltage.

Dorsey

The Dorsey Converter Station is located in Rosser and is the southern terminus for Bipoles I and II. Over 70% of the electricity produced in Manitoba is transmitted through Dorsey.

Dorsey received its first transmission from Bipole I in June 1972.

The converter station was named after Professor John Dorsey, who taught electrical engineering at the University of Manitoba from 1912 to 1952. Professor Dorsey was well known for his work on the transmission of electricity.

Henday

The Henday Converter Station is located in Gillam, and is a northern terminus the Limestone Generating Station on the Nelson River. Henday made its first transmission through Bipole II in October 1978.

The federal government and Manitoba Hydro reached a financing agreement for DC facilities in February 1966. We purchased the remaining years of the agreement for DC facilities in September 1992.

The station was named after Anthony Henday, an 18th century trader who worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Keewatinohk

The Keewatinohk Converter Station is located northeast of Gillam, and is the northern terminus for Bipole III. Pronounced Kee-way-tin-oohk, the word is Cree for the north.

Keewatinohk made its first transmission through Bipole III in April 2018.

Radisson

The Radisson Converter Station is located northeast of Thompson, and is the northern terminus for our Kettle and Long Spruce generating stations on the Nelson River.

Radisson made its first transmission through Bipole I in March 1971.