Bipole III
Transmission Reliability Project
Bipole III is a proposed new high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project required to improve overall system reliability and dependability. The project includes the HVDC transmission line, energy conversion facilities, and system connections.
Supplemental material filed with Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship (February 19, 2013).
Supplemental Environmental Assessment Report on Route Adjustments (January 28, 2013).
Supplemental report on caribou now available (August 8, 2012).
EIS Filed - Presents Final Preferred Route
On December 1, 2011, we submitted the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project to Manitoba Conservation. The EIS presents information on the environmental assessment for the project, including the 1,384 kilometre route. Read the news release.
The review and licensing process under the Manitoba Environment Act provides an opportunity for comments on the Bipole III EIS. We anticipate the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission will hold public hearings on the project. Subject to regulatory approval, the project schedule calls for construction to get underway in late 2012, with a 2017 in-service date.
Stakeholders Notified of Final Preferred Route
Consistent with our commitment to communicate with stakeholders on the status of route selection, landowners, communities, First Nations, and other interested parties are being notified by letter that a final preferred route has been selected. See the final preferred route map.
The route was chosen after extensive public and landowner consultation, conducted from February 2008 to March 2011. Input from the consultation process was reviewed and evaluated by our Bipole III environmental assessment team, resulting in the final preferred route. The Environmental Impact Statement assessing the project will be filed with Manitoba Conservation at the end of November 2011.
Additional Information in Support of the EIS
On February 13, 2012, we submitted additional information to Manitoba Conservation in support of the Bipole III Transmission Project EIS:
- Tourond Proposed Route Adjustment Consultation Report;
- Fox Lake Final Traditional Knowledge Report;
- Southern Ground Electrode Route Selection Report.
See these reports - Additional Information (Submitted February 2012). These reports will also be placed in Manitoba Conservation's public registry for the project.
Route Adjusted in the Tourond Area
The Bipole III project team undertook a consultation program in December 2011 in the Tourond area to present a proposed route adjustment for Bipole III. Feedback from local landowners and municipalities was gathered and analyzed.
Based on this consultation and review, we have selected the proposed route adjustment as the final preferred route in the area. See map of the final route in the Tourond area.
A report on the December 2011 consultations was submitted to Manitoba Conservation in February 2012, outlining the public participation process and results. Additional Information (submitted February 2012).
Local landowners in the vicinity of the route options in the Tourond area have been notified of the routing decision by mail.
