A consortium led by GE’s Digital Energy business has won a milestone engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract from Manitoba Hydro to build a new, 66 kV gas-insulated substation (GIS) to help meet Winnipeg’s growing energy needs. The contract, valued at 31.4M CAD is the first substation order for GE’s Digital Energy business in Canada.
The new Adelaide Street substation will be built in downtown Winnipeg, replacing the utility’s aging substation on King Street in the Exchange District. The project is part of Manitoba Hydro’s plan to upgrade or replace Winnipeg’s aging substations and other equipment with newer, more efficient power delivery systems.
GE submitted the winning EPC bid under an open consortium approach, with GE as the consortium leader and Edmonton, Alberta-based HB Construction Company, Ltd. as the consortium’s engineering and construction partner. Teshmont, a Winnipeg-based leader in high-voltage DC power transmission services, also plays a key role as GE’s key sub-contractor responsible for protection and control engineering and associated testing.
“Electrical substations are a critical part of our distribution system, delivering electricity to homes and businesses throughout the city and driving more sustainable economic growth for our province,” said Manitoba Hydro president & CEO Scott Thomson. “Even as we expand our networks, they are continuously being repaired and upgraded to meet the growing energy needs of our customers. Our selection of GE, HB Construction and Teshmont to build the new Adelaide substation is an important step forward in our efforts to repower the city and province.”
Brent Reed, vice president, customer service & distribution for Manitoba Hydro noted that of the 97 stations in the city of Winnipeg, 37 are operating beyond their technical limitations and eight of them are more than 60 years old.
Winnipeg is not alone. A report by the Canadian Electricity Association quotes an International Energy Agency estimate that Canada will need to invest an estimated $350 billion in its electricity sector by 2030, representing a national investment of approximately $17.5 billion per year for 20 years.
The GE-led consortium’s scope of work on the new Adelaide substation includes the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning support of three 30-megavolt ampere transformers; 66-kilovolt gas-insulated switchgear; and 12-kilovolt metal-clad switchgear. The equipment will be housed in a new building with a perimeter wall surrounding the station.
