Keeyask’s second unit brought online; Unit 1 certified for commercial service

Construction continues at the Keeyask Generating Station in northern Manitoba.

On April 29 at 5:25 p.m. CST, the second of seven generating units at Keeyask was brought online and connected to the Manitoba Hydro power grid.

Keeyask Generating Station in northern Manitoba.

With the second unit now also supplying energy, up to 100 MW has been added to the Manitoba Hydro system from Keeyask. For perspective, that amount of generation can provide power for more than 50,000 average homes. When Keeyask is complete, the generating station will add 695 megawatts to Manitoba Hydro’s overall capacity.

As well as the second unit being brought online, on April 22 the first unit was certified for commercial service by Manitoba Hydro’s Transmission System Operations team. This step – which provides confirmation of the reliability and capacity of a unit’s power output – is a recognized standard showing the generator can provide the reliability our customers depend on.

More on units

A generating unit is based around a water turbine generator that converts the motion of flowing water into the generation of electricity. Each unit requires more than the turbine itself – it also requires concrete housings, support structures, and lots of equipment and systems to enable the turbine to operate efficiently, effectively and safely.

Some entire structures and systems are built to support one single turbine generator. Others can be shared among several units.

All of the systems, housings, structures and more that contribute to the operation of a single generator comprise a unit at one of our hydroelectric generating stations.

The Keeyask Generating Station near Gillam in northern Manitoba is a collaborative effort between Manitoba Hydro and four partner First Nations: Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, York Factory First Nation, and Fox Lake Cree nation – known collectively as the Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership.