Articles from Electrical Business

Manitoba Hydro is actively repairing infrastructure damaged by wildfires that have impacted numerous communities this year. Over 1,200 wood poles and related equipment, including powerlines and transformers, have been damaged or destroyed. The utility has repaired around 500 poles to date and is implementing protective measures such as vegetation clearing and installing outdoor sprinkler systems. The challenging conditions include fire risk, difficult terrain, and limited accessibility to remote areas.

Manitoba Hydro is enhancing its vegetation management efforts to improve grid reliability and safety for both workers and the public. Tree-related power outages have increased, prompting the company to intensify tree trimming and use machinery to clear brush around infrastructure. This initiative also aims to protect against fires by removing vegetation hazards and using herbicides. The strategy includes removing trees that pose a significant risk to power lines.

Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba Home Builders' Association are collaborating to accelerate the energization of new homes within five days of passing final inspections, thereby reducing construction delays. They are also implementing early installation of electric and gas infrastructures in new home sites in Winnipeg, Selkirk, and Steinbach. A new online portal for scheduling service installations and checking service status is being established to improve communication and efficiency. This initiative stems from ongoing efforts to improve service delivery for home builders and their clients.