Meridium Power Inc. was established in 1998 to facilitate Manitoba Hydro's ongoing involvement in the development and commercialization of Written-Pole® technology. A Canadian company headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Meridium Power is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro, the fourth largest electric utility in Canada. Manitoba Hydro is the primary generator, distributor and retailer of electricity and natural gas in the Province of Manitoba and a major exporter of electricity.

As a significant energy player, Manitoba Hydro has a strong interest in the use and application of its energy products in all sectors of the economy. This interest, coupled with a growing concern over the escalating costs for providing three-phase service to rural customers, led Manitoba Hydro to approach Precise Power Corporation, a Bradenton, Florida based company and patent holder for Written-Pole® technology, regarding a large horsepower single-phase motor that the company was developing. Based on positive initial discussions, Manitoba Hydro went on to participate in an electric utility funded research project coordinated by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), a Palo Alto, California based electric utility funded research and development organization. The goal of this project was to develop a large horsepower single-phase motor ranging in size from 15 to 60 horsepower which was compatible with existing single-phase distribution networks.

After successfully completing this project, Manitoba Hydro went on to negotiate a distribution agreement with Precise Power Corporation under which Meridium Power was granted exclusive Canadian distribution rights for motive power and power protection equipment based on Written-Pole® technology. Under its agreement with Precise Power Corporation, Meridium Power assumes responsibility for all aspects of distribution in Canada, including sales, marketing, service, and support for all Written-Pole ® motive power and power protection products sold in Canada.

During the next several years, Meridium Power will focus on penetrating the Canadian market for motive power and power protection equipment. Several niche markets of particular interest to the corporation include single-phase motors for rural applications and power protection equipment for industrial and telecommunications applications, areas in which Written-Pole® technology provide significant advantages over conventional technologies. To this end, the company is currently seeking qualified individuals and organizations to represent Meridium Power and service the needs of its regional customers.

Manitoba Hydro

Manitoba Hydro is a provincial Crown Corporation serving approximately 395,000 customers throughout Manitoba, except for the central portion of Winnipeg. The Corporation offers a wide range of energy services to its domestic customers as well as to the global marketplace.

Nearly all electricity generated by the utility is from self-renewing waterpower. On average, about 30 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity are generated annually: 75 percent produced by five hydroelectric generating stations on the Nelson River and the remainder generated at seven smaller hydroelectric stations on the Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, and Laurie rivers, two thermal stations and six diesel sites.

The Corporation's capital assets in service exceed $7 billion, making it the fourth largest electrical utility in Canada. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro has 77 offices throughout the province to serve its customers. In addition to its core utility activities, Manitoba Hydro has recently formed several wholly owned subsidiaries and entered into partnerships through which it intends to market its products and services.

For more information, please see http://www.hydro.mb.ca