Manitoba to encourage renewable energy while acknowledging fossil fuel use

WINNIPEG -

The Manitoba government has boosted plans for renewable energy with an announcement it will work with First Nations to develop wind power.

Premier Wab Kinew said Friday the province will help Indigenous bands bring on 600 megawatts of new wind generation by providing them with loan guarantees. He said it's the best way meet the province's climate commitments while increasing the supply of affordable electricity, as well as creating jobs in First Nations communities.

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"We're going to stand up a ton of new wind farms here in Manitoba," he said. "Most important, we're going to make sure your hydro bills stay affordable."

Kinew released the Manitoba Affordable Energy Plan, his government's road map for balancing the need to supply more energy, fight climate change and keep household bills down.

Wind power is the document's centrepiece, although it has no specifics on how many loans would be granted, what size they might be, where the wind farms could be or when the power might come on line.

"In order for us to be able to move forward, we hand this plan to (Manitoba Hydro)," Kinew said. "They're the ones who turn this into a capital plan.

"This is step one of a multi-step process."

The plan also includes incentives for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles and the growth of a charging network for them. It promises to encourage energy efficiency, bring in more energy-efficient building codes and work with homeowners to install climate-friendly equipment, such as heat pumps.

Kinew said his government will implement these measures by making sure they're the most cost-effective for consumers.

"I would like you to do the climate-friendly thing when it comes to home heating or the next vehicle that you buy. But the only way that's going to happen is if we make it affordable."

The plan says nearly three-quarters of Manitoba's power comes from fossil fuels. Those energy sources aren't going away, it adds, while promising increased environmental oversight of the oil and gas sector.

Finance Minister Adrien Sala wouldn't say if Manitoba's Crown-owned electric utility would build more natural gas generators.

"We're going to move forward on best practices," he said. "We are pushing to look at how we can firm that wind up in a way that ensures we focus on keeping costs of that wind as low as possible."

   This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.

   -- By Bob Weber in Edmonton