September 30, 2004
Ontario and Manitoba Take Next Step on Joint Energy Project
Ontario and Manitoba Take Next Step on Joint Energy Project| News Release | ||||
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Preliminary study recommends moving forward on project to increase clean energy supply
TORONTO – The governments of Manitoba and Ontario today announced they would proceed with a detailed technical study on the Clean Energy Transfer Initiative (CETI), a proposed hydroelectric power project in Northern Manitoba and a transmission line that would bring power from Manitoba to Ontario.
The technical study would include detailed engineering and cost analysis, further discussions with First Nations, as well as a more detailed analysis on overall project economics.
“This project has potential benefits for both provinces, and that's why we are moving forward to the next phase,” said Dwight Duncan, Ontario's Minister of Energy. “Clean energy from Manitoba has the potential to provide Ontarians with 1,500 megawatts of clean, renewable and reliable hydroelectric power, enough to power 1 million homes in Ontario.”
“The Clean Energy Transfer would enhance national energy security and grid reliability and would be an important nation-building project,” said Tim Sale, Manitoba's Minister of Energy, Science and Technology. “It would also contribute to meeting our national climate change targets by helping to displace fossil fuel generation and creating significant economic development opportunities for First Nations and northern communities.”
The decision to move forward with a detailed technical study follows the release of a feasibility study that was commissioned by both governments in 2003.
The Clean Energy Transfer Initiative is viewed as one of the potential projects that could be pursued to help address Ontario's electricity needs. Manitoba has a potential excess of energy supply capacity over and above its domestic needs, including approximately 5,000 megawatts of potential new generation hydro sites that can be developed economically and with minimal environmental impact.
The project would require the development of hydroelectric sites in northern Manitoba, and the construction of a transmission line to central Ontario, where it would connect with the province's existing transmission grid.
The multi-billion dollar project would make a major contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and create employment and economic opportunities in Ontario and Manitoba – particularly in northern and First Nations communities.
Given the environmental and economic benefits, the report recommends that the Federal government become more active in the process. The proposed Manitoba-Ontario energy transfer could also be a first step in the development of a national East-West electricity grid, which would also improve reliability and provide greater national energy security.
The report is available at www.energy.gov.on.ca and www.manitobaenergy.ca