Manitoba's Action Strategy for Economic Growth
Manitoba's Green Energy Advantage
PEAC has consistently promoted the development of Manitoba’s rich hydro-electric
resource, energy conservation, growing electricity exports and the
development of new renewable energy sources.
Manitobans have made the province a world leader in developing clean energy and addressing climate change. With advantages in hydro-electric power, wind energy, biofuels, ground source heat pumps and hydrogen, Manitoba is uniquely placed to preserve the environment, while developing a strong, green economy.
Manitoba’s tremendous renewable hydro-electric resource is a major
advantage in powering the economy.
- Manitoba’s electricity costs remain among the lowest in North America, providing homeowners and businesses with low-cost, reliable and renewable power.
- Manitoba Hydro is Canada’s largest exporter of hydro power to the United States, and has recently negotiated its third power sale arrangement with Xcel Energy, as well as a 100 MW renewal agreement with the Wisconsin Public Service.
- Construction of the 200 MW Wuskwatim dam is already under way in partnership with Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.
- Building Conawapa will add an additional 1,250 MW to the provincial system.
PEAC has also identified the value in expanding export markets. Manitoba continues to promote the national value of an east-west power grid in Canada. This grid would allow Manitoba and other provinces to transfer low-cost, reliable, renewable energy to other areas of Canada, providing greater energy security and reliability. Manitoba is encouraged by federal support for this vision.
Manitoba is a leader in aggressive energy conservation, reducing energy bills
for homeowners and business and freeing up power for profitable exports.
- Since 1999, some 150,000 Manitobans have participated in Power Smart programs, saving close to 300 MW of power – equivalent to building a “virtual” dam with more capacity than Wuskwatim.
- Energy efficiency programs are expanding to include a special focus on community-based retrofitting to help lower energy bills and revitalize homes in Centennial, West Broadway, Brandon and the Island Lake region.
- Manitoba’s new green building policy is setting the pace for Canada, ensuring that all new Manitoba-funded building projects meet or exceed the internationally recognized LEED silver standard for healthy, high-quality, energy-efficient buildings.
Wind power, like hydro-electricity, is clean and renewable, helping to preserve the environment, while growing and diversifying the province’s power supply and the economies of rural communities.
- One of Canada’s largest wind farms is now in full operation in St. Leon and is expected to generate $9 million in land lease payments for farmers over the life of the project.
- Manitoba Hydro is pursuing new wind projects totaling 300 MW, or enough to power 100,000 homes.
- Manitoba’s strategy to harvest 1,000 MW of wind power will attract $2 billion in investment and generate $100 million in wind rights payments to landowners.
The provincial government is also working with rural communities to
expand local biofuel production to produce cleaner energy and provide
alternative markets for farmers by:
- introducing an ethanol mandate, which is helping to support Husky’s new plant expansion in Minnedosa, and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 135,000 tonnes per year, or the equivalent to taking 10,000 vehicles off the road;
- eliminating the 11.5 cent per litre road tax for the Manitoba produced biodiesel portion of any blended diesel fuel to encourage local production; development and construction of plants is already under way at four sites in Manitoba; and
- supporting pilot projects to test the feasibility of anaerobic digesters on hog farms to turn waste into renewable energy that can directly benefit the producer, reduce greenhouse gases and lower the risk of surface and groundwater contamination.
Geothermal activity is booming in the province; Manitoba installs 30% of Canada’s ground source heat pumps and trains more than half the country’s installers. Manitoba Hydro is enhancing its Residential Earth Power loan program to support greater use of this highly-efficient green technology.
Manitoba is also emerging as a hub for leading-edge hydrogen technology, supported by our strength in bus manufacturing. Manitoba recently tested one of the most advanced hybrid fuel cell powered transit buses in the world, built by Manitoba’s own New Flyer Industries. Manitoba is also pleased to be partnering on the new Hydrogen Centre of Expertise, advancing the study of hydrogen applications and other new technologies such as plug-in hybrid cars.
