Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says a Manitoba Public Utilities Board report finds the province needs only one natural gas turbine for now instead of three.
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Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Friday that the Manitoba Public Utilities Board has concluded only one natural gas-fired turbine is needed for now, at a cost of about $1 billion.
Kinew called the conclusion “good news,” saying it could save “a few billion dollars” and point the province toward “a more environmentally friendly path.”
Kinew said the Crown corporation Manitoba Hydro has maintained that three turbines, costing about $3 billion, are needed to meet peak winter demands within a few years.
Environmental groups have opposed Manitoba Hydro’s plan, arguing less extra capacity is needed and that renewable energy could cover more of any gap.
The utilities board submitted its findings to the government earlier this week after lengthy hearings held over the summer.
Kinew said the government would likely follow the report’s recommendations, but that the details are still being reviewed.
He said the utilities board effectively rejected Manitoba Hydro’s methodology for calculating future demand needs.
Kinew said the report indicates the province can start with a single 250-megawatt turbine and transmission capacity, then add more later.
Manitoba Hydro said it has not seen the report and could not comment.
Kinew also said the report underscored the importance of oversight, noting that Manitoba Hydro is a monopoly and that a regulator with independent expertise is needed to keep it in check.
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