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WINNIPEG, Manitoba, CA, September 20, 2006
(Refocus Weekly)
The provincial government in Manitoba will
install 300 MW of wind turbines over the next two years.
The province and its publicly-owned utility, Manitoba Hydro, say
the capacity will generate electricity for 100,000 homes and will
quadruple the current installed capacity, says energy minister Dave
Chomiak. Bids will be solicited this winter with construction to
start early next year or in 2008.
“This is the next significant step toward our commitment to harvest
1,000 MW of Manitoba wind power over the next decade,” says Chomiak.
“Made-in-Manitoba wind power is not only environmentally sound, it
diversifies our power supply and provides substantial economic
benefits to the entire province.”
The current announcement follows a process that concluded in
February, in which the province and Manitoba Hydro called for
expressions of interest for wind development. More than 40 responses
were received from developers, First Nations, communities, turbine
manufacturers and consultants in a strong signal that Manitoba will
meet its target of 1,000 MW, adds Chomiak.
“Manitoba Hydro can use its hydro system to help accommodate the
intermittent nature of wind and use its interconnections to move it
to customers in the export market,” says Bob Brennan, president of
Manitoba Hydro. “This will add to the diversity of the Manitoba
Hydro system, and landowners and municipalities will benefit through
new revenues.”
In addition to the plan to solicit 300 MW, three further allocations
of 200 MW each are targeted for 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2017-18, based
on economic viability. The future phases will include smaller,
community-based wind projects where individuals or community groups
can sell power back into the grid.
“We are committed to reaping the benefits of wind as a clean,
locally-based, renewable-energy source for the entire province,”
says Chomiak. “Developing wind energy in Manitoba creates economic
opportunities for our rural communities, First Nations, construction
firms and advanced manufacturing suppliers, as well as offering new
and exciting employment opportunities for our young people. Like
hydro-electricity, wind energy is renewable and helps to preserve
the environment for future generations.”
Installing 1,000 MW of capacity will generate Cdn$2 billion in
investment, $100 million in lease payments to landowners and $150
million in property taxes to local municipalities. The wind strategy
builds on the province’s commitment to developing renewable energy
sources including new-generation hydro, ethanol, biodiesel,
geothermal heat pumps and hydrogen.
Manitoba has a 99 MW windfarm at St. Leon, 150 km southwest of
Winnipeg, which started operation in April 2005. The 63 turbines
have become a tourism attraction, and the $210 million project will
result in $100 million in operational expenditures, $30 million in
provincial and municipal taxes and $9 million in local landholder
payments over the life of the project.
“To date, wind development in Manitoba Hydro has emerged as both a
new source of renewable energy for the province and … as a tourist
attraction as well, as many visitors have traveled to see it,” says
Brennan. “We're the leader in geothermal, we're the leading exporter
in Canada of hydro, we're becoming a leader in ethanol and biodiesel
is going to see significant growth in Manitoba,” adds Chomiak.
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