Expanding our hydro markets

Elmwood

On Nov. 28, Manitoba signed onto the national electricity grid memorandum of understanding. In doing so, Manitoba is answering our nation’s call to protect our energy security and promote Manitoba’s clean hydroelectric power.

As a long-time advocate of the east-west power grid in my role as an MLA and in my term as an MP, I believe Manitoba will play a critical role in Canada’s broader electrical system due to our strong hydroelectric foundation and our strategic geographic position.

We are home to significant renewable energy resources — 15 generating stations, many of which are large-scale hydroelectric generation and concentrated in northern Manitoba — which supply the majority of our electricity. Historically, Manitoba’s transmission infrastructure has been oriented north–south, connecting power stations in the north to population centres in the south and supporting substantial export capacity to the United States. However, the development of enhanced east–west transmission links has become paramount for national energy reliability, regional co-operation, and will provide more markets for us to sell our electricity.

An east–west power grid would involve strengthening interprovincial transmission connections so that provinces can share electricity more effectively. For Manitoba, the focus lies on improving connections with Saskatchewan to the west and Ontario to the east. Our links have been mainly to our major export markets south to the United States, mainly Minnesota and Wisconsin. Establishing an east–west corridor would allow Manitoba to export more of its clean hydroelectricity to neighbouring provinces, supporting their transition away from fossil-fuel-based generation and paying for future hydro development.

An expanded east–eest grid would also enhance system reliability across the Prairies and central Canada and will establish links with Ontario’s ‘Ring of Fire’ and its vast region of deposits of critical minerals. This would help both provinces balance supply and demand during peak periods or unexpected outages. From a national perspective, improved east–west connectivity is seen as a step toward a more resilient, low-carbon, pan-Canadian electricity grid — which has been a goal since the 1970s.

Despite the benefits, expanding these transmission links requires significant investment, regulatory co-operation, and long-term political commitment. Challenges include cost-sharing agreements, environmental review processes, and the co-ordination of multiple provincial utilities with differing policy priorities. Nonetheless, Manitoba’s clean generation profile and central location make us a key player in the development of a more integrated east–eest power grid.

Feel free to contact me at 204-415-1122 or email me at jim.maloway@yourmanitoba.ca