Manitoba Hydro electricity export application

Summary#

Manitoba Hydro has applied to the Canada Energy Regulator to export up to 39 700 000 MWh of electricity per year for 10 years, starting November 1, 2025. The Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator is asking for public views before it decides whether to issue a permit or move the application to a licensing process.

What it does#

• Seeks permission to export up to 39 700 000 MWh of combined firm and interruptible energy annually for 10 years, beginning November 1, 2025.
• Notes that the applicant (or its affiliates) has interests in generation or transmission facilities in Canada; those facilities are listed in an appendix to the application (not reproduced here).
• Invites written submissions from interested parties on the application. Submissions must be filed with the CER and emailed to the applicant by 27 September 2024.
• Asks submitters to comment specifically on:
  • the likely effect of the export on provinces other than Manitoba, and
  • whether Manitoba Hydro properly informed and offered domestic buyers an opportunity to purchase electricity on terms as favourable as those proposed for export.
• Allows the applicant to file answers to submissions on those specific questions by 14 October 2024.

Who's affected#

• Manitoba Hydro (the company asking to export electricity).
• Electricity buyers and marketers in Canada and the United States who trade or plan to buy power across the border.
• Other provincial electricity systems and regulators that might be affected by large exports from Manitoba.
• Parties who have declared an interest in buying electricity for use in Canada; the Commission specifically asks whether they were given a fair chance to buy on the same terms.
• Interested members of the public and industry groups who want to comment to the Canada Energy Regulator by the stated deadlines.

Why it matters#

• A large, long-term export like this can affect how much electricity stays in Manitoba and neighbouring provinces, and could influence local electricity prices or availability.
• The regulator is checking that domestic buyers were given a fair chance to purchase the same power before it’s approved for export.
• Stakeholders and the public have a short window to provide input (submission deadline 27 September 2024), which can influence the regulator’s decision.