Watch: transmission lines fused using implosion sleeves as Birtle Transmission Project nears finish

Manitoba Hydro staff have worked through the winter on the Birtle Transmission Project, part of an interconnection with SaskPower in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The 46-kilometre (28-mile) line is expected to be in service this spring.

The line allows us to export more renewable electricity to Saskatchewan, reducing our neighbour’s carbon emissions while further improving the reliability of our grid.

Fusing power lines on this scale requires implosive sleeves that use heat to weld ends of conductor together. Watch the process below. (Warning – it’s loud!)