Copper Wire Theft from Manitoba Hydro Substation Leads to Power Cut

The theft of copper wire recently forced Manitoba Hydro to temporarily cut power to about 1,200 customers in southeast Manitoba, reports the CBC.

The theft happened overnight at a Richer-area substation, where wires were cut out. Manitoba Hydro discovered the theft after receiving a number of service calls from customers.

To allow crews to safely repair the damage related to the theft, power had to be shut off, a spokesperson told the CBC.

Initially, it was expected that customers in the communities of Ste. Anne and Richer would face a 90-minute outage but a half day was required. Copper theft has been a problem in many municipalities due to its high value on the scrap metal market. “It’s been an ongoing issue over, oh, the last number of months if not years — not only in that area but around southern Manitoba,” said Hydro spokesman Bruce Owen. He added that the Crown corporation has taken steps to track its wires.

“These thieves have to know that our copper is marked,” he said.

Photo source: Steffen Thomä, Remains Of The Company II.