Winnipeg Hydro
Winnipeg Hydro is a former provider of electrical power for the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Winnipeg Hydro was established in 1906 and was purchased by Manitoba Hydro in 2002.[1]
In 1906, voters approved a $3.25 Million Dollar expenditure for development of a hydroelectric plan at Pointe du Bois. Immediately following the decision to build the Pointe du Bois plant, the price of electricity charged by the private sector in Winnipeg dropped from 20 cents per kilowatt-hour to 10 cents and subsequently to 7 1/2 cents. After completion of the plant in 1911, Winnipeg Hydro set its rate at 3 1/3 cents per kilowatt-hour. This rate remained unchanged until 1973. Customers of Winnipeg Hydro enjoyed among the lowest electricity rates in North America.
Among the final achievements as Winnipeg Hydro were the recorded revenues higher than previous years. Which was invested wisely in infrastructure improvements that will ensure the safe and effective transmission of hydroelectric power with minimal impact on the environment. Some of this included the completion of No. 6 Substation (Amy St) building and equipment installation as well as the completion of the installation of new underground cable to connect Scotland Avenue Terminal Station to No. 2 Substation (York) at York Avenue and Garry Street. The last Director of Winnipeg Hydro was Ian McKay.
In September 2002, Winnipeg Hydro officially closed its doors embarking on a new era as part of Manitoba Hydro.
Footnotes
- ↑ Val Werier, "Winnipeg Hydro's success", Winnipeg Free Press, 28 March 2002, A16; "Winnipeg Hydro quietly zapped into history", Winnipeg Free Press, 5 September 2002, A5.