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Governments of Canada and Manitoba invest nearly $500 million to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to Manitobans

Press Release

November 9, 2023

Today in Winnipeg, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a joint investment of $475.6 million to strengthen Manitoba’s clean electricity grid and ensure Manitobans continue receiving affordable and reliable low carbon energy.

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.

These investments in clean electricity will ensure Manitobans continue to benefit from the second-most affordable electricity in Canada, while also reducing emissions and increasing reliability and capacity to meet growing demand. The federal government will continue to invest in making Canada a clean electricity superpower to ensure Canadians from coast to coast to coast have the affordable and reliable clean electricity they need today and for generations to come.

Quotes

“A key part of our economic plan is making Canada a clean electricity superpower. Today’s announcement in Manitoba will deliver clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to people and businesses across the province—and we will continue working to expand our clean electricity grid and create great careers for people from coast to coast to coast.”  — Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland

“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.” — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew

“Manitoba Hydro is extremely pleased to be receiving this federal funding through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The investments we are making in both these critical infrastructure projects will help provide Manitobans with energy for life and power our province’s economic growth with clean, reliable, renewable hydroelectricity. These projects build on our legacy of investments in renewable energy over the past 100 years, as we work towards a lower carbon future for all Manitobans.” — Jay Grewal, president and CEO, Manitoba Hydro

Quick facts

  • About 97 per cent of Manitoba’s electricity is generated from clean hydro, with most of the remaining 3 per cent coming from wind generation. Manitoba’s abundant clean electricity has resulted in Manitobans paying 9.455 ¢/kWh—the second-lowest electricity rate in Canada.
  • The $314 million joint investment in the Pointe du Bois Renewable Energy Project includes $114.1 million from the Government of Canada and nearly $200 million from the Government of Manitoba.
  • The $161.6 million joint investment in the Portage Area Capacity Enhancement project includes $70.9 million from the Government of Canada and [$90.6 million] from the Government of Manitoba.
  • The federal government’s total contribution of $184.9 million is provided through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Plan.
  • This federal funding is conditional on meeting Indigenous consultation requirements, as well as environmental assessment obligations.
  • Including today’s announcement, the Green Infrastructure Stream has supported 38 infrastructure projects in Manitoba, for a total federal contribution of more than $766.8 million and a total provincial contribution of over $658.4 million.
  • Across Canada, through the Investing in Canada Plan, which was announced in 2016, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion by 2028 to build public transit and clean infrastructure, enhance trade and transportation routes, and support Canada’s rural and northern communities.
  • To date, the Investing in Canada Plan has provided more than $142 billion in federal support to over 92,000 projects, of which, 95 per cent are already completed or under construction. Investment in these projects, including from other orders of government and the private sector, totals more than $187 billion.
  • In Budget 2023, the federal government announced its clean economy jobs plan, which includes the new investment tax credits for Clean Electricity and Clean Technology, over $40 billion in clean electricity support through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and a $3 billion top-up to the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program.

Associated Links

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For more information:

  • Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
  • Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.

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