Copper wire thefts at Manitoba Hydro substations raise safety concerns

Thefts of copper wire from electrical substations have Manitoba Hydro concerned not only about the break-ins, but about people coming into contact with exposed high-voltage equipment.

Officials at the public power utility say there's been a recent rash of thefts at substation sites in and around Winnipeg and in eastern and southeastern Manitoba.

"It's not unheard of. It just seems to be that there's been an accelerated occurrence of these things over the past few months, and that has led us to take steps to beef up the security in our facilities," Bill Henderson, Hydro's manager of communications and engagement, told CBC News on Thursday.

It appears thieves are going after copper wire to sell to scrap metal dealers, Henderson said. He didn't have numbers for how much wire has been stolen in the past few months.

"If you go anywhere in the city or in the country where you see a metal wire fence and you have a vehicle or cutters or whatever — where there's a will, there's a way, I guess," he said.

The problem, Henderson said, is substation sites that are broken into are very dangerous for people who come across them as well as for Hydro crews.

"Once the fences have have been broken through and gates have been broken down, they're left open. That leaves the potential for the public to inadvertently enter these facilities," he said. 

"And once equipment has been tampered with, it also impacts the potential safety, it poses a safety hazard for employees."

Hydro customers could face power disruptions if the equipment is damaged, he added.

Anyone who sees someone stealing or damaging Manitoba Hydro equipment or property is asked to call police immediately.

As well, the utility asks anyone with information about the recent thefts to call Manitoba Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).