The next in the great Manitoba hydro-electric power generating sites is one step closer to reality.
Dam, could have said that in one word, Wuskwatim Dam to be exact, and we now know who's going to be building it, and the winning bids come from out of province.
Three companies from Newfoundland and Quebec have received the nod to do the $289 million worth of construction work.
The dam will be located just 45 km south of the City of Thompson, and is scheduled to begin feeding power to Manitobans in 2012.
It's expected to generate an estimated 200-megawatts annually.
The companies who've won the construction contract will be responsible for earthen dikes, concrete structures, rock excavation, and road maintenance.
Some work has already been done at the site.
Wuskwatim Dam Facts
- Will be on the Burntwood River
- Involves less than a half a square km of flooding
- About 45 km south of Thompson
- Equity partnership with Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
- Scheduled completion in 2012
- Total bill, $1.6 billion, estimated, includes transmission lines
- Build for domestic power, but could be exported
- Domestic need is not expected until 2020
