Limestone Generating Station
Limestone Generating Station is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric dam on the Nelson River approximately north of Winnipeg near Gillam, Manitoba. Part of the Nelson River Hydroelectric Project, Limestone was Manitoba Hydro's fifth and largest generating station to be built on the Nelson River. The station was built on the Nelson River at Long Spruce Rapids. The site is approximately downstream of Manitoba Hydro's Long Spruce Generating Station.
The dam is owned and operated by Manitoba Hydro. It has ten generating units with a capacity of 1,330 megawatts and annual generation around 8.5 terawatt-hours. Although work at the site began in 1976 with a cofferdam completed in 1978, construction was suspended owing to a slowing of demand for electric power. The project resumed in 1985, with the first generating unit delivering power in 1990 and completion in 1992. Construction cost was $CDN 1.43 billion; favorable economic conditions at the time resulted in lower cost than budget.
