Most of the electricity produced at Manitoba Hydro's three largest generating stations built on the Nelson River in northern Manitoba is converted from alternating current (ac) to direct current (dc) at the Radisson and Henday converter stations, which are located close to the three: Kettle, Long Spruce and Limestone.

The electrical current is transmitted south to the Dorsey Converter Station by way of two bipolar high voltage direct current transmission lines. From Gillam to Dorsey, for about 900 km, they follow a route that takes them through Manitoba's Interlake region. The term bipole refers to the two conductors or "poles" on each tower line.

The dc electricity is converted back to ac at Dorsey for distribution via Manitoba Hydro's 230 kV transmission line system. From there the ac feeds the balance of Manitoba's southern electrical system and the interconnecting electrical systems to Saskatchewan, Ontario and the U.S.A.