Manitoba signs energy deal with Mitsubishi

MANITOBA - Manitoba has forged an agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan to explore renewable energy development opportunities, which could pave the way for electric vehicles to be manufactured in the province.

Headquartered in Tokyo, MHI is a world leader in developing and manufacturing high-efficiency power-generation systems, including renewable energy technologies for creating a low-carbon society, the provincial government stated in a news release.

MHI also specializes in producing electric vehicles and hopes to bring its buses to Manitoba. It's all part of a commitment by the province to reduce greenhouse gases, Selinger said.

"Our government and MHI share an interest in renewable energy sources and associated clean technologies that are economically and environmentally sustainable, moving away from carbon-intensive fossil fuels to low- and non-emitting sources of energy," he said.

"Ultimately, we hope to see more of those technologies developed, tested and manufactured in Manitoba for local and global markets."

The province has committed to reducing its greenhouse gases to the levels outlined in the Kyoto protocol. But doing so will require a reduction in pollution equal to taking almost every fossil-fueled car in Manitoba off the road.

Selinger admits it's an enormous challenge, but believes electric vehicles will be part of the solution.

The agreement creates the structure for a series of potential collaborative projects between Manitoba and MHI in eight areas:

• Electrification of transportation and recharging infrastructure projects.

• Battery-storage technologies.

• Heat-pump technologies.

• Advanced biofuels technologies.

• Wind-energy technologies.

• Energy-efficiency technologies and systems.

• Solar technologies and silicon processing.

• Integrated energy production, storage and utilization demonstrations.

A combination of Manitoba's natural resources, cold-weather testing capabilities and the growing expertise of academic institutions, private companies, Manitoba Hydro and governments in clean energy initiatives make the province the perfect place to focus on innovative renewable energy technologies, Selinger said.