Nelson River

Once the Winnipeg River’s nearly 600 megawatts of hydroelectric potential was fully developed in the 1950s, power planners looked northward to meet the growing need for electricity – first to Grand Rapids on the Saskatchewan River, and then the distant Nelson River.

The tremendous hydroelectric potential of the Nelson River had been appreciated since the early 1900s. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that it became feasible to pursue the development of the Nelson. That’s when the technology for the long-distance transmission of high voltage direct current (HVDC) became available.

Nelson River generating stations videos

Short videos on the history and development of the generating stations on the Nelson River in northeastern Manitoba and the HVDC transmission system that moves the power to the southern part of the province.

• Learn about the Winnipeg River.