Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a joint investment of $475.6 million in hydro projects in the province on Thursday (Nov 9).
A media release said “This federal-provincial investment provides $314 million for eight new hydroelectric turbines at the Pointe du Bois Generating Station, as well as $161.6 million to build a new 230-kilovolt transmission network in the Portage la Prairie area.
The $314 million joint investment in the Pointe du Bois Renewable Energy Project will enable Manitoba Hydro to replace eight hydroelectric generating units that are at the end of their current lifecycle. The new, more efficient generating units will increase the capacity of the Pointe du Bois generating station by 52 megawatts, providing eastern Manitoba with cleaner and more reliable clean electricity.
The $161.6 million joint investment in the Portage Area Capacity Enhancement project will support the construction of a new transmission line to enhance reliability for customers across southwest Manitoba and help Manitoba Hydro meet increasing demand. By decreasing Manitoba’s reliance on its last grid-connected fossil-fuel generating station, this investment will reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the Brandon Generating Station by about 37 per cent.”
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said “Manitoba Hydro is one of the most important assets our province has when it comes to being a leader in the low carbon economy. Continued investment in a publicly owned Manitoba Hydro will mean more low carbon jobs, more progress towards our net-zero targets and more opportunities to lower costs for working families. We’re glad to partner with the Government of Canada to continue building on Manitoba’s Crown jewel together.”
About 97-percent of Manitoba’s electricity is generated from hydro, with most of the remaining 3-percent coming from wind generation.
