Funding For Manitoba Hydroline Part Of Changes To SaskPower's Grid

In a move to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions the federal government has announced an investment in a 230-kilovolt transmission line bringing 215 megawatts of renewable hydroelectricity from Manitoba to Saskatchewan.

The project is part of the moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions most notably carbon dioxide as part of the federal government’s Climate Change initiatives, initiatives which will impact throughout Saskatchewan.

Touted as “critical to protecting the environment, improving people’s lives and creating sustainable economic growth” in a news release the transmission line is described as green infrastructure.

The federal government will investing more than $18.7 million with the Manitoba Government contributing more than $42 million to the project. the federal funds are from the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing In Canada Plan. The funds will help Manitoba Hydro build a 230-kilovolt transmission line from Birtle South Station in the Municipality of Prairie View to the Manitoba–Saskatchewan border 46 kilometres north-west. Once completed, the new line will allow up to 215 megawatts of renewable hydroelectricity, which is currently surplus to the needs of Manitobans, to flow from the Manitoba Hydro power grid to the SaskPower power grid.

“Increasing Manitoba’s interconnection to Western Canada’s power distribution grid will establish greater stability for energy supply, while keeping energy rates affordable for the province. Manitoba’s clean hydroelectricity is a vital element of Saskatchewan’s efforts to reduce cumulative greenhouse gas emissions in that province,” the release stated.

When SaskPower announced their intention to purchase additional hydro-electricity from Manitoba the purchase was described as key to SaskPower reducing its carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels.

“This clean, hydroelectric power represents a significant step forward when it comes to reaching our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030. It’s also reliable baseload electricity, which we’ll need as we add more intermittent generation options like wind and solar,” Mike Marsh, President and CEO of SaskPower said in a October 2018 statement. “Manitoba Hydro has been a valued neighbour and business partner over the years and this is a demonstration of that relationship. We look forward to seeing this through and continuing our work together.”

On February 28th Premier Scott Moe announced the province was spending $10 million to help Estevan ($8 million) and Coronach ($2 million) economically transition away from coal when the coal fired electrical generating plants are shut down by 2030.

In announcing the funding the Premier laid blame on the earlier than wanted mine and generating station closures on the federal government.

“This situation was unfortunately imposed on Saskatchewan much earlier than planned by new federal regulations.  This provincial funding will help advance economic development and diversification opportunities, while demonstrating our commitment to these impacted communities,” Premier Moe said in a statement.

At present time SaskPower is proceeding with a new 350 megawatt natural gas fired electrical generating plant to be built in Moose Jaw’s southeast industrial area despite the federal government saying they will apply the carbon tax to the proposed facility and it will not be exempted as a similar plant near Swift Current is.

Attempts have been made to lobby the federal government for an exemption to the federal carbon tax based on the fact the Moose Jaw plant was announced prior to new federal regulations. The lobbying efforts have so far proven unsuccessful.