Previous News
April 2009
MHI Supplying Engineering Services for Yunnan-Guangdong UHVDC Project in Southern China
Manitoba Hydro International has contracted with Siemens, Germany, to provide HVDC engineering services for dynamic performance testing for the Yunnan-Guangdong UHVDC Project in Southern China.
The Yunnan-Guangdong UHVDC project is an ultra high voltage DC transmission system (±800 KV, 5000 MW) which will transmit hydro electric power 1400 km from the Yunnan Province in south-western China to the Guangdong Province on the south coast of China. Siemens, Germany has been awarded a contract by China Southern Grid Company to supply and construct the Yunnan-Guangdong UHVDC interconnection, together with Chinese partners. Commercial operation is scheduled for mid-2010.
Dynamic performance testing, an important phase of the Yunnan-Guangdong UHVDC Project, has the purpose of verifying the dynamic characteristics of the HVDC system, as well as behaviour of the Pole Control and DC protection system. The dynamic performance tests (DPT) are being conducted at the China Southern Grid Company's Technology Research Center in the city of Guangzhou, on large RTDS (real-time digital simulators) and actual Siemens' HVDC controls. MHI is providing Siemens with a HVDC controls engineer, whose role is to evaluate the DPT test results against the design study and specification documentation.
MHI provides Power Quality Training in India
As a component of the DfID funded Power Sector Reform Project in Madhya Pradesh, India, Manitoba Hydro International provided power quality training workshops to the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board. The training sessions were provided to engineers from the MP Eastern Region Distribution Company in Jabalpur and the MP Central Region Distribution Company in Bhopal. The program consisted of general power quality fundamentals and also provided information and dialogue related to specific problems being faced by each company. As part of a separate assignment, a seminar was also presented to engineers and middle managers at the Chhattisgarh State Power Company on the "Utility Approach to Developing Power Quality Programs and Standards".
March 2009
MHI Sponsors NIDO Canada Conference and Trade Mission
On May 16, 2009, MHI will be sponsoring the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organization (NIDO) Canada Conference and Trade Mission held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The conference is being hosted by the NIDO Canada Region, Manitoba Chapter which is a not-for-profit association of Nigerian professionals in Diaspora whose aim is to strengthen business, travel, and investment opportunities and promote and foster a positive business climate between Nigeria and Canada. An MHI representative will be speaking at the event on MHI's experiences in Nigeria, as well as the vast opportunities that exist as the growth of the energy sector fuels many other parts of Nigeria's economy.
For more information, view the NIDO Conference brochure.
February 2009
MHI Sponsors 11th Annual Africa Energy Forum
This July, MHI representatives will attend the 11th Annual Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in Bordeaux, France. MHI looks forward to networking with governments and state utilities and members of the international energy community in hopes of discussing opportunities available in Africa's vast power and gas sectors. In addition to being the AEF website sponsor, MHI will be exhibiting in the AEF's tradeshow.
MHI Presents at the Discover Africa Roadshow
A MHI representative was an invited speaker at the Discover Africa Roadshow when it comes to Winnipeg on March 27, 2009. The Discover Africa Roadshow is presented by the Canadian Council on Africa and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and focuses on upcoming international business opportunities in Africa. MHI will be making a presentation on the opportunity and challenges of the African marketplace.
December 2008
Santas in East Timor!
This year, MHI and W.I.R.E. Services decided to celebrate the holiday season by collecting cash donations for gifts for children in Dili, East Timor, where MHI currently is involved in a five year management contract.
Using the monetary donations received, food to make hampers was purchased for three families and gifts for 15 children in these three families. Wearing jolly red hats, a group of team members and their wives went to distribute these hampers and gifts on December 19, 2008.
October 2008
World Bank Energy Sector Mission
A MHI representative attended an Energy Sector Mission held at the World Bank (WB) in Washington D.C. MHI's was to initiate a dialogue with the WB and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) officers responsible for energy sector projects and inform the WB and the IBD Bank senior staff of MHI's capabilities and interest in the energy sector. Individual meetings were also held with senior task team leaders from the World Bank to further MHI's interests in Africa and Asia.
MHI Sponsors CCAfrica Francophone Summit
Manitoba Hydro International will be a major sponsor in the CCAfrica Francophone Summit entitled "Francophone Africa: An Economy in Full Growth" which will be held on October 20, 2008 in Montreal, Quebec. This event will be bringing a significant number of Heads of State and Prime Ministers of the Francophone Africa in which many will be speaking about their country, challenges, investments and business opportunities, as well as the significant economic growth of their country and the region. MHI believes this event is an important and rare opportunity and is looking forwarding to participating.
September 2008
MHI Sponsors the IFI Bootcamp 2008
Manitoba Hydro International sponsored and attended the 4th annual IFI Bootcamp which took place in Winnipeg from Sept 2–5, 2008. The IFI Bootcamp is a Western Canada based initiative that is designed to give Canadian firms the edge when bidding on projects funded by multilateral development agencies by providing a training session for companies and individuals who are looking at increasing their chances at winning projects. This year's theme focused on Green Development and had representatives from multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the African Development Bank.
June 2008
MHI to Develop Database for CEA
MHI was awarded a contract with the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), to develop an electronic database of North American Transformer Repair Facilities and their corresponding capabilities and skill sets.
W.I.R.E. Services Joins MHI
As of April 2008, MHI received approval to create a new division to accommodate W.I.R.E. Services (WS).
W.I.R.E. Services provides THERMAL RATING and RE-RATING solutions to the Electrical Utility Industry by using the accurate airborne LiDAR Survey technology provided by their partner LiDAR Services International (LSI) of Calgary, AB.
Since its creation in January 2001, W.I.R.E. Services has seen a lot of transformations and growth. Over the past 7 years, W.I.R.E. Services has worked for more than 20 clients and continues to do repeat work for almost 80% of them.
One of the most beneficial outcomes of this amalgamation is the possibility of marketing product and service offerings to each others clients. The list of potential benefits is long and will continue to develop and expand as time goes on.
For more information on W.I.R.E. Services, go to www.wireservices.ca
May 2008
MHI's Work in Kenya Receives Two Prestigious Awards
On May 21, 2008, Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) was awarded the "Award for Construction, Reconstruction and/or Rehabilitation of Physical Infrastructure" for their accomplishments related to the Kenya Energy Sector Recovery Project (ESRP) at the 16th Annual Canadian Awards for International Cooperation. The Canadian Awards for International Cooperation recognize the achievements of Canadian businesses and organizations in supporting sustainable economic growth in developing countries. As part of the Kenya Energy Sector Recovery Project, a Manitoba Hydro International project team is providing management services to the Kenya Power and Lighting Co. Ltd., over a two year period from July 2006 until July 2008, during which they helped increase customer connections, reduce system losses, reduce customer outages, minimize response repair time, and significantly reduce the number of accidents by 80%.
Secondly, KPLC won the Metering International Excellence Award at the Africa Utility Week in Cape Town, South Africa for their Umeme Pamoja project. Umeme Pamoja is Kiswahili meaning "electricity together." The Umeme Pamoja approach offers lower connection costs for individuals living in the same neighbourhood in urban and peri-urban areas, who wish to join together and apply for electricity connections as a group. This allows the overall cost of supply to be shared by the members of the group, thus reducing the cost per individual.
April 2008
MHI Attendance at Africa Energy Forum (AEF)
MHI will be sponsoring and attending the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) this year. The forum is a medium where governments and state utilities can interact with the international energy community on opportunities available in Africa's power and gas sectors. The AEF will be taking place in Nice, France on July 2–4, 2008. MHI will be exhibiting in the Forum's tradeshow and Richard Tainton, Managing Director of Mtwara Transmission and Distribution Co. (MTDC), will be a guest speaker to discuss rural electrification and the integrated management approach.
March 2008
CIGRE Conference
MHI will be participating in the Manitoba Hydro sponsored CIGRE Conference at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on October 19–21, 2008. MHI will be exhibiting alongside W.I.R.E. Services and the HVDC Research Centre.
November 2007
Mozambique – Cahora Bassa Hydropower and HVDC Transmission Scheme, Technical Assistance and Monitoring Services
The Governments of Mozambique (GoM) and Portugal (GoP) signed agreements on November 27, 2007 transferring the majority ownership and control of Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) from GoP to GoM. MHI was selected in November 2007 to provide technical support services and operational monitoring services for up to five years to ensure that the facilities continue to be operated at a high standard of safety and reliability. The work includes the provision of engineering support for development of additional capacity, management and environmental advisory services, and training services.
Line Fault Locator: Ballia-Bhiwadi HVDC Project / India
MHI and Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany have entered a contract for the provision of a dual station Line Fault Locator (LFL) for the Ballia-Bhiwadi HVDC transmission line project in India.
October 2007
Nile Basin Initiative
MHI provided a one week training course on Power Systems Simulation to twenty-five senior managers from Nile Basin country utilities. The HVDC Research Centre assisted with the development and delivery of the program. The course was run from October 22–26, 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya.
July 2007
East Timor – Management Services for Electricidade de Timor-Leste
MHI has been awarded a five year Management Services contract to take full management responsibility for Electricidade de Timor-Lest (EDTL). MHI will provide a team of individuals to fill the positions of Director-General of EDTL, senior management, and technical staff, as well as provide training and services for EDTL's operation. Activities include the day to day management of the utility, medium term planning of the utilities business, financial management, loss reduction, collections, and capacity building, as well as assisting with the corporatisation of EdTL, managing project financing, the implementation of hydropower projects and a transmission backbone followed by rural electrification. Mobilization is expected to commence in mid August, 2007.
MHI will achieve the principal objective of maintaining a safe and reliable system while meeting customer demand for electricity, and using modern management practices to effectively manage EDTL's facilities, finances and employees.
Project Update – Kenya Power & Lighting Company Management Services Contract
Due to the dedication of MHI and KPLC staff we expect to meet or exceed all of the first year contractual targets. Most notably MHI/KPLC met the ambitious target of 120,000 new customer connections for the first year which included intensive rural electrification.
