Manitoba Hydro’s proposal to expand its gas-fired power plant in Brandon faced criticism after the Crown corporation revealed operational challenges during winter cold snaps. The plan involves investing $3 billion to install three new natural gas turbines alongside the existing pair, aiming to boost the province’s power capacity by 750 megawatts by 2030 to prevent midwinter electricity shortages.
As part of a broader initiative to make 1,760 megawatts of electricity available in the next decade, Manitoba Hydro is under regulatory review by the Public Utilities Board. During recent public hearings, it was disclosed that the Brandon plant had to limit its power output in several winter peak usage instances.
Cheryl Sanclemente, Hydro’s energy markets director, testified that the plant’s output reduction occurred during peak periods in January and December 2022, as well as in January 2023. This revelation led to concerns raised by groups like the Manitoba Climate Action Team, questioning the reliability of natural gas turbines during extreme cold weather compared to alternative renewable energy sources.
In response, Hydro defended its plan, which includes not only adding new gas turbines but also constructing battery storage facilities, wind farms, and implementing energy efficiency measures. The utility emphasized that occasional operational issues are common and highlighted the age of the Brandon gas turbines, over 20 years old, as a factor.
During a Public Utilities Board hearing, Hydro’s vice-president Dave Bowen clarified that past underinvestment in maintenance had impacted the plant’s reliability. The ongoing hearings on Hydro’s energy strategy are scheduled to continue until early September.