Rural residents want wind turbines
Rene Ritchot owns a farm in the R.M. of Morris. Every year he uses 50,000 megawatts of electricity. Instead of relying on Manitoba Hydro for that power, Ritchot would like to harvest the wind and generate it himself.
"I'm already convinced that it's the right thing to do for the planet," he said. "And it could allow Manitoba Hydro to sell so much more hydro."
Recently his rural municipality created a bylaw making it easier for people to place wind towers on their property. Ritchot and two other people have expressed interest.
But while Ritchot likes the idea - the price for a turbine is still a little too high.
"If I was to get a wind turbine, it would be for 50,000 kilowatts," he told CTV News. "That would cost up to $100,000, and that would take quite a few years to repay."
Ritchot would like to see the province give incentives to lessen the cost of being environmentally friendly.
The province says it already gives incentives to people who generate more power than they use. It's called the Net Metering Policy. Manitoba Hydro pays anyone who generates extra electricity. However - the province says it won't help property owners pay start-up costs for wind turbines.
Related News
Hydro-Quebec shocks cottage owner with $5,300 in retroactive charges
MONTREAL - A relaxing lakefront cottage has become a powerful source of stress for an Ottawa woman who Hydro-Quebec is charging $5,300 to cover what it says are years of undercharging for electricity usage.
The utility said an old analogue power meter is to blame for years of inaccurate electricity bills for the summer getaway near Gatineau, Que.
Owner Jan Hodgins does not think she should be held responsible for the mistake, nor does she understand how her usage could have surged over the years.
“I’m very hydro conscious, because I was raised that way. When you left a room, you always turned…
