Manitoba Hydro, Minnesota Power propose supply deal

subscribe

Manitoba Hydro and Minnesota Power have proposed a two-stage electricity supply deal that may lead to new multibillion-dollar hydroelectric facilities in Canada and construction of a cross-border transmission line, the companies said.

The first part of the plan, aimed at increasing the carbon-free power supply in Minnesota, involves government-owned Manitoba Hydro exporting surplus electricity starting this year.

The second stage would be a 15-year purchase of 250 Megawatts by Minnesota Power, the Allete Inc unit, starting around 2020.

Tied to that, Manitoba Hydro would go ahead with building either the $3.5 billion Keeyask hydro station or $5 billion Conawapa facility in the province's North, company spokesman Glenn Schneider said.

Keeyask would generate 620 MW and Conawapa 1,250 MW.

The Conawapa site had previously been floated as a supply source for an export deal with neighboring Ontario.

"We haven't made as much progress in that area and this sale is on track now and we'll be moving on one of those northern projects," Schneider said.

There is no current cost estimate for the transmission line as the companies are still determining routes on either side of the Canada-United States border, he said.

The firms have one year to complete talks and sign definitive agreements. Those would be subject to approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

Manitoba Finance Minister Greg Selinger said the deal bolsters Manitoba Hydro's exports markets, allowing the utility to keep its rates low at home. Last year's exports generated revenues of $592 million, Selinger said in a statement.

Minnesota Power said the electricity deal fits with an energy strategy laid out in its Integrated Resource Plan filed with the state last year.

Related News

U.A.E. Becomes First Arab Nation to Open a Nuclear Power Plant

U.A.E. Becomes First Arab Nation to Open a Nuclear Power Plant

UAE - The United Arab Emirates became the first Arab country to open a nuclear power plant on Saturday, raising concerns about the long-term consequences of introducing more nuclear programs to the Middle East.

Two other countries in the region — Israel and Iran — already have nuclear capabilities. Israel has an unacknowledged nuclear weapons arsenal and Iran has a controversial uranium enrichment program that it insists is solely for peaceful purposes.

The U.A.E., a tiny nation that has become a regional heavyweight and international business center, said it built the plant to decrease its reliance on the oil that has powered…

READ MORE
gov lamont

CT leads New England charge to overhaul electricity market structure

READ MORE

adani-electricity-power-supply-cuts-in-mumbai

Adani Electricity's Power Supply Cuts in Mumbai

READ MORE

teck mining

B.C. politicians must focus more on phasing out fossil fuels, report says

READ MORE

Sergeev (left) and Likhachov (right)

Cooperation agreement for Rosatom and Russian Academy

READ MORE