Published:October 29, 2018

Updated:October 29, 2018 12:07 PM CDT

Winnipeg Sun

https://winnipegsun.com/news/provincial/hydro-cuts-deal-to-send-more-power-to-saskatchewan

A couple hundred megawatts of homemade Manitoba hydroelectricity will flow into Saskatchewan beginning in 2022 after a deal was struck between the two provinces on Monday. Manitoba Hydro will sell 215 megawatts of renewable hydroelectricity to neighbouring SaskPower in a deal that will last for at least 18 years, with the potential extension of up to 30 years.

“The energy we will be providing to SaskPower is reliable, renewable hydroelectricity that is currently surplus to the needs of Manitobans,” said Hydro president and CEO Kelvin Shepherd in a release. “Revenues from this sale will assist in keeping electricity rates affordable for our Manitoba customers, while helping SaskPower expand and diversify its renewable energy supply.”

The deal will help SaskPower reach their goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, said Mike Marsh, president and CEO of SaskPower.

“It’s also reliable baseload electricity, which we’ll need as we add more intermittent generation options like wind and solar,” Marsh said. “Manitoba Hydro has been a valued neighbour and business partner over the years and this is a demonstration of that relationship.” Financial details of the deal are being kept confidential by Hydro.

The province applauded its Crown corp on Monday, saying the sale helps Manitoba help others reduce their emissions.

“Manitoba is Canada’s greenest province,” Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer said in a release. “Manitoba Hydro’s supply of clean, green hydroelectric power helps reduce carbon emissions in neighbouring jurisdictions, presenting tremendous opportunities.” The Pallister government said the sale to Saskatchewan could lead to emissions reductions of around 1.3 megatons of carbon dioxide each year.

A new 80-kilometre, 230,000-volt transmission line is currently being constructed between Birtle, Man., and Tantallon, Sask. That line is expected to be completed by 2021 and Hydro said it will benefit customers on both sides of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. This is the largest of three recent major power deals between the two provinces. By 2022, Manitoba Hydro will be supplying up to 315 megawatts of hydroelectricity to Saskatchewan.