MBiz

17 MBiz | may 2016 I t takes a lot of people-power to generate power for the people. This summer, more than 2,600 workers are needed to construct the Bipole III Transmission Reliability Project and the Keeyask Generating Station. "Currently, more than 70% of the electricity generated in Manitoba is delivered to customers using the existing two HVDC (high voltage direct current) transmission lines — Bipole I and Bipole II — which run alongside each other for much of their route, making Manitoba Hydro's system vulnerable to weather or other events that could cause damage," says Bruce Owen, public affairs officer at Manitoba Hydro. "A failure of these two lines, particularly in the middle of January, could mean we cannot deliver enough electricity to meet our customers' demand." Bipole III reduces this risk by creating an alternate route, a 1,400-kilometre HVDC transmission line to deliver electricity and a second converter station in southern Manitoba at the Riel site east of Winnipeg. The project also includes a northern converter station known as Keewatinohk near Gillam. The Keeyask Generating Station, one of the larger infrastructure projects in North America, will provide renewable, low-emission electricity to meet Manitoba's growing demand for energy. "In a nutshell, both projects work together to make the electrical supply in Manitoba more reliable and more secure," says Owen. To get these projects built, workers with a broad range of skills are required. That means people who can work from the ground up, starting with support services in catering, janitorial, clerical and security. Then there are the construction trades: Heavy equipment operators, electricians, carpenters, labourers and more. It's like a grocery list of potential employment opportunities. During the peak period this summer, contractors are required to maintain a workforce of about 1,300 tradespeople. A majority will be recruited to work on the Keeyask project through the province's Job Referral Service. Keeyask is being built in partnership with four First Nations. Workers will stay at the Keeyask Camp, which is equipped with approximately 2,100 rooms with private washrooms and showers. The site provides Internet access, a restaurant-style dining complex with healthy meal options, recreation facilities that include an elevated running track, fitness machines and a full gymnasium with courts for badminton, squash and volleyball. There is a games centre with pool tables, video games and two movie theatres, as well as a commissary. A workforce of about 500 tradespeople at the Bipole III Keewatinohk Converter Station will stay at Keewatinohk Lodge, which is co- managed with Fox Lake Cree Nation. Each room has its own washroom facilities and the lodge offers amenities similar to Keeyask to provide a home away from home experience. "These are five-star accommodations," says Owen. "These are excellent places for people to work and be supported. In comparison to similar projects, there is nothing like it." In addition to Keeyask and Keewatinohk, about 1,000 tradespeople are needed at peak times for the construction of the Bipole III Transmission Line, along with 500 tradespeople for the construction of the Bipole III Riel Converter Station. Workers on the Bipole III transmission line will live in mobile contractor camps and local accommodations along the route as construction progresses. Keeyask and Keewatinohk are governed by the Burntwood Nelson Agreement, a collective agreement which ensures first preference for northern Manitobans. The Bipole III transmission line construction is governed by the Transmission Line Agreement, which includes provisions for Aboriginal employment preferences. Variable shifts are available at each project. Generally, workers at Keeyask and Keewatinohk are in camp three weeks, with one week off. Along with airfare to return home for breaks, additional benefits and incentives include wage enhancement for security guards, drillers and blasters. Workers also have access to a comprehensive drug and alcohol program, on-site cross cultural awareness training, employee retention support and emergency medical services. Owen says it's the nature of the business that as the structures rise, people who are finished their part of the project will leave, and the camp will wind down. "You will always require people on site to make sure things are running smoothly and for security and to maintain road access." Regardless of employment time lines, the priority is to ensure a healthy, balanced workplace, he says. "The goal is to make people feel at home, happy, that they're not lacking, and so that the focus is on the job." ■ MANITOBA HYDRO - a proud member of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Workers at the Keeyask and Keewatinohk camps will have all the comforts of home, and then some. Photos courtesy of Manitoba Hydro These are five-star accommodations, these are excellent places for people to work and be supported. In comparison to similar projects, there is nothing like it."

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