Nation-to-nation wind energy partnerships with Indigenous governments, a call for up to 600 megawatts of new wind generation, greater affordability for ratepayers, and a shift to clean heat are key features of a new affordable energy plan introduced late last week by the Manitoba government.
“We are giving you the freedom to make climate-friendly choices by making those choices more affordable,” Premier Wab Kinew said in a release. “Building more energy capacity starts with a new government-to-government partnership in wind, the best source of new clean energy. By building out the grid we’ll keep rates low for everyone and put more Manitobans to work in good union jobs. Together we’ll build the next generation of affordable energy to power Manitoba’s future.”
A provincial fact sheet says the new program will include:
- An Indigenous loan guarantee program to deliver “capital support and capacity” for First Nations and Métis to “participate in the energy transition and finance new partnerships in wind generation”;
- Unlocking up to 200 MW of power generation by refurbishing existing hydropower stations;
- Toughening up provincial energy codes to produce long-term energy savings for consumers;
- Mandating provincial utility Manitoba Hydro to install more public electric vehicle charging stations;
- Instituting regular provincial inspections of oil and gas operations to “ensure environmental safety and reliability”.
In February, the province dismissed Manitoba Hydro CEO Jay Grewal, two weeks after she warned the province could need new sources of electricity by 2029 or 2030 and indicated she planned to obtain the capacity from private wind developers. At the time, the parting of the ways appeared to be about how the new capacity would be built, not the electricity sources the province would rely on.
Now, the Winnipeg Free Press says the loan guarantee will be included in the 2025 provincial budget, and Manitoba Hydro will issue a call for expressions of interest in wind projects with at least 51% Indigenous ownership. The utility will be looking to those projects for up to 600 MW of new generating capacity.
“The province will also look at partnering with the Inuit government of Nunavut’s Kivalliq region to build new generating capacity in northern Manitoba,” the Free Press says. Other program features include heat pump installations for 5,000 households, beginning with homes in rural and northern parts of the province, as well as “opt-in demand management options” like time-of-day pricing and smart meters.
“As we move away from non-renewable heating sources such as natural gas, it will be important for Manitobans to be provided with new options that are not only clean but also affordable,” the plan states.
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association praised the announcement in a prepared statement.
“Across Canada, renewable energy and energy storage projects are increasingly integrating Indigenous equity—clearly, the momentum is building,” said CanREA President and CEO Vittoria Bellissimo, adding that the industry is onboard with fostering those partnerships. “With this announcement, Manitobans can look forward to reliable, affordable, and clean electricity in the future.”
“The government of Manitoba has been thoughtful with the rollout of their Affordable Energy Plan,” agreed CanREA Federal Director Fernando Melo. “By committing to reducing the barriers for Indigenous communities and companies striving to access capital, and by streamlining the regulatory process for connecting new projects that are both front of the meter and behind the meter, they are setting the province up for success.”
Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand said Métis governments are “ready to go” on wind energy development, with communities already buying up land and opening discussions with potential developers like Japanese multinational Mitsubishi. “It really is something we have been looking at for some time ourselves,” he told the Free Press. “We’re ready to make a move.”
