Manitoba's energy revolution

Manitoba is advancing its energy sector with a keen focus on sustainable growth and clean energy utilisation, drawing parallels to efforts seen in British Columbia. The province has unveiled a comprehensive clean energy roadmap, entitled "Manitoba’s Energy Roadmap: Pathway to Prosperity," aiming to secure a future powered by affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. This roadmap emphasises the strategic investments required to foster sustainable economic growth while ensuring energy affordability and modernisation, alongside climate objectives and Indigenous participation.

Integral to Manitoba's energy vision is Manitoba Hydro's first-ever Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which anticipates a significant increase in electrical demand within the next decade, necessitating new energy sources. The IRP aligns with the provincial energy roadmap, highlighting the accelerated transition towards low- or no-carbon energy sources to meet the growing need for clean electricity. This transition underscores the importance of investing in clean energy technologies, including potential wind generation as a cost-effective energy choice, to sustain Manitoba’s low-carbon leadership.

Additionally, Manitoba has laid out a Clean Energy Strategy, focusing on exploiting local water, wind, solar, and biomass resources to power homes, businesses, and industries. This strategy is part of a broader vision to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and shift towards renewable energy resources, positioning Manitoba as a renewable energy powerhouse. The strategy aims for new hydroelectric generation, transmission improvements, and the promotion of innovative electric transportation solutions, emphasising the province's role as a leader in energy efficiency and sustainable resource management.

Manitoba's energy revolution is intricately linked to its geographic composition, leveraging its natural landscapes and resources to foster a sustainable energy future. Located in the heart of North America, Manitoba's geography is diverse, with the Canadian Shield covering much of its northern parts, characterized by numerous lakes, forests, and wetlands, while the southwestern areas are predominantly agricultural lands used for crops and cattle.

Manitoba's energy sector is heavily reliant on hydroelectric power, with 99% of its electricity generated from renewable hydroelectric sources. Manitoba Hydro, the province's largest electricity producer, operates 15 hydroelectric generating stations primarily along the Nelson River, showcasing Manitoba's utilization of its abundant water resources for clean energy production. The recent construction of the Keeyask Generating Station on the Nelson River, which went into commercial service in early 2021.

Manitoba's strategic location at the crossroads of major transportation routes across Canada and into the US Midwest, combined with its substantial hydroelectric power resources, offers significant advantages for the energy sector. These include competitive industrial electricity rates among the lowest in North America and a well-connected transportation infrastructure that supports energy distribution and trade.

Manitoba is phasing out coal for electricity generation and exploring other renewable sources like wind which accounted for approximately 4% of Manitoba’s electricity generation capacity as of 2019. Additionally, the absence of natural gas or natural gas liquids (NGLs) production in Manitoba further highlights the province's focus on clean, renewable sources of energy.

Manitoba's Critical Minerals Strategy

Manitoba is emerging as a significant player in the critical minerals market, with a comprehensive strategy to enhance the province's position as a vital supplier of these essential resources for the global economy. The Manitoba Critical Minerals Strategy, announced by Premier Heather Stefanson and Minister Jeff Wharton, outlines a clear vision for the province to become a globally recognised leader in supplying critical minerals, emphasising responsible mining and sustainable economic growth. This strategy is underpinned by six pillars designed to raise awareness of Manitoba's mineral advantages, advance Indigenous partnerships, support geoscience research, streamline regulatory processes, attract value-added processing and manufacturing, and develop a skilled workforce.

Manitoba's competitive edge in the critical minerals sector is further bolstered by its abundant natural resources, including 29 of the 31 minerals identified on Canada's Critical Minerals List, such as lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements. The province's strategic location, low-cost, non-emitting hydroelectric power, and solid historical mining foundation position Manitoba as an attractive destination for mineral exploration and production.

The province's approach to developing its critical minerals sector involves close collaboration with nearly 50 companies currently exploring these resources in Manitoba, representing over 70% of all exploration companies operating within the province. This initiative aims to meet the rising global demand for critical minerals and support Manitoba's transition to a low-carbon economy.