The Hydro Sector is involved in significant new analytical and rehabilitation projects for the Tennessee Valley Authority in the U.S., and the Dez Dam in Iran. After many successful seasons carrying out dam safety assessments in Ontario, we find our specialist knowledge is in demand in Central America and the Far East. In North America small and green hydro projects are the main focus of the industry along with rehabilitation projects for extending the life of hydro dams. Also, utility restructuring, particularly in North America, generated several significant design services contracts for us in 2002.
Acres is now reaping dividends from many years of investment in leading edge technology. Our GROW3D software for integrity analysis of old dams and similar structures is in worldwide demand. The Vista software product line is the world leader in Decision Support Systems for hydroelectric generation operations, and HydroVantage software for optimizing life cycle investment has recently been purchased by several major power station operators.
A showcase project of 2002 is certainly the Bruce A nuclear generating station restart. A major challenge for all members of the partnership, the work has proceeded as planned, with every expectation that the two units will go back on-line with their full 1500-MW output in the summer of 2003.
Through Acres offices in Vancouver and Castlegar, and serving as Program Manager, we continued to provide many services for the construction of 50 km of new 230-kV transmission line to replace the aging 63-kV line in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia. As of the end of last year construction was over 50% complete. The 230-kV lines, new switchyards and rehabilitation of existing switchyards will be completed by the end of this year, and final decommissioning and removal of the old 63-kV line before the end of 2004.
On the East Coast our new SGE Acres partnership hit the ground running. We are involved with development of the nickel and cobalt deposits at Voisey's Bay, in Labrador, and with early stages of a new nickel processing plant in Argentia, in Newfoundland. Along with participation in the development of Husky's White Rose offshore project, SGE Acres has dozens of other important projects on its plate throughout Eastern Canada.