The government of Manitoba announced it will contribute more than $42 million to the Birtle Transmission Line, a 230-kilovolt transmission line extending 46 kilometres northwest from the Municipality of Prairie View to the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border.
Once completed the new line will allow up to 215 megawatts of renewable hydroelectricity to flow from the Manitoba Hydro Power grid to the SaskPower power grid. 215 megawatts is currently surplus to the needs of Manitobans, a provincial government release stated.
“Today’s announcement is a great example of co-operation between the provincial and federal governments as we move towards a greener electricity system for all Canadians. We are very pleased that Manitoba Hydro’s Birtle Transmission Project is among the first projects to receive funding under the Canada Infrastructure Program, and we would like to thank both levels of governments for recognizing the importance of the project as we strengthen ties with our neighbours in Saskatchewan,” Manitoba Hydro president and CEO Jay Grewal stated.
“The Government of Canada is proud to be working with Manitoba to support projects that create jobs and improve people’s lives across the province. The Birtle Transmission Line will provide the region with reliable and greener energy that will help protect our environment while laying the groundwork for clean economic growth,” prime minister’s special advisor for the Prairies Jim Carr said, on behalf of federal infrastructure minister Catherine McKenna.
The federal government is investing more than $18.7 million in the project as part of its $26.9 billion investment in green infrastructure projects through the Investing In Canada plan.
Increasing interconnection to western Canada’s power distribution grid will establish greater energy supply stability and keep provincial energy rates stable, the release stated.
“Manitoba’s clean hydroelectricity is a vital element of Saskatchewan’s efforts to reduce cumulative greenhouse-gas emissions in that province,” the release said.
“The Province of Manitoba has one of the cleanest electricity grids in Canada and the world with over 99 per cent of our electricity generated from clean, renewable sources. The Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan is good not only for Manitoba, but for Canada and globally. The Birtle transmission line builds on this plan and our green competitive leadership roles, as it generates new jobs for Manitobans and gives us a clean, green marketing advantage in attracting new investment and promoting our Manitoba brand,” provincial central services minister Reg Hewler said.
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