Manitoba Hydro Undertaking $445 Million Network Modernization

March 2, 2017

The utility plans to reduce the number of overloaded stations to 20% by 2020, reports the Journal of Commerce. About 20 projects have been identified, some involve load only transfers to new stations.

Of the 97 stations in Winnipeg alone, Manitoba Hydro says 37 are operating beyond their technical limitations; 8 stations are more than 60 years old.

One modernization project involves a reconstruction and expansion of the McPhillips distribution station in northwest Winnipeg (shown in photo). This project is being built on existing Manitoba Hydro land next to one of Winnipeg’s two casinos and will include relocating the distribution equipment to the newly expanded yard, replacing the existing two transformers with three new transformers, adding a capacitor bank, constructing a new control building, and reconnecting feeder lines to the new equipment.

The work is required as the existing two transformers in the station cannot handle any increase in load due to growth in the area, Manitoba Hydro public affairs officer Bruce Owen told the Journal of Commerce. Safety improvements will also be made.

While the McPhillips Station contains both transmission and distribution equipment areas in the station yard, this project will replace only the distribution equipment. Construction work on the $47.2-million project started in spring 2016 and is scheduled to be completed by fall 2018.

Photo courtesy of Manitoba Hydro.