Siemens, partner win $800M HVDC contract in Manitoba

OAKVILLE, Ont.—Siemens Canada Ltd. has been selected to design, build and install high voltage direct current (HVDC) equipment as part of a project in Manitoba aimed at boosting the reliability of the province’s electrical system.

Siemens, which partnered with Mortenson Construction for its bid, was chosen by Manitoba Hydro to supply two converter stations, one in northern Manitoba northeast of Gillam and one east of Winnipeg, as will as the overhead line connecting the two, for the Bipole III HVDC project.

The project, which will transport electricity generated by hydroelectric generating stations in northern Manitoba to the province’s south, is worth more than $800 million, according to Siemens.

“This project is critical to ensure reliable power to Manitobans, and this contract is one of the cornerstones of the project,” Bipole III project division manager Rob Elder said in a statement.

“It has been five years in preliminary design work, and over a year of working with Siemens and Mortenson on developing their solution to this contract. We are excited to move into the next phase of the project.”

Under terms of the agreement, Siemens will supply the complete HVDC core technology, while Mortenson will be responsible for the construction of the converter stations.

The 1,400-kilometre HVDC link will connect the two converter stations using a 500-kilovolt overhead line.

“When it comes to energy-efficient and low-loss transmission of electricity over considerable distances, we’re the right partner. Our partner’s local expertise, coupled with Siemens’ proven HVDC technology, allows us to offer tailored solutions to our customers’ requirements,” said Faisal Kazi, head of Siemens Canada’s energy management division.

The project will have a transmission capacity of 2,300 megawatts and is expected to be commissioned in the summer of 2018.