Manitoba: Clean electricity snapshot
2022-2024
Manitoba produces most of its electricity through hydroelectric dams. In fact, Manitoba produces so much electricity that it exports surplus electricity to the United States, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. The province stopped using coal-fired electricity in 2018.
Powering Canada's Future is the Government of Canada's strategy for clean electricity. It combines historic investments and balanced, fair regulations to lay out the path forward to build grids that will provide power that is reliable, affordable and clean and serve as the backbone of our economy.

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Federal investments
As of November 2024, the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) has supported two projects with $680,000 in Manitoba.
In 2024, the Government of Canada provided $5 million in funding through the Green Infrastructure: Energy Efficient Buildings Program to Gordon Bell High School in Manitoba.
In June 2024, the Government of Canada announced up to $10.9 million to support a first round of 32 projects under Manitoba's Merit-Based Program.
Emissions and electricity generation
According to the National Inventory Report, in 2022, less than 1% of Manitoba's electricity was generated from natural gas and other fuels, such as diesel, while over 97% was generated from renewable resources including hydro, wind, and solar.

Long description
Electricity source | Quantity |
---|---|
Coal | 0.00% |
Natural gas | <1% |
Other fuels | <1% |
Nuclear | 0.00% |
Hydro | 97.00% |
Wind & Solar | 2.00% |
Total TWh | 37.2 |
Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding
*Renewables: Includes electricity generation by wind, tidal and solar.
*Other fuels: Includes GHG emissions from the combustion of refined petroleum products (light fuel oil, heavy fuel oil, and diesel), petroleum coke, still gas and other fuels not easily categorized.
Hydro power
Nearly all of the electricity Manitoba produces each year is generated at its 16 hydroelectric generating stations. The province's total generating capability is about 6,100 megawatts (MW).
Manitoba Hydro sells its surplus power to United States, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, and revenue from power exports brought in more than 22% of Manitoba Hydro's total electric revenue between 2010 and 2019 (about $3.9 billion).
Climate Action Manitoba found that the rates for natural gas in the province, which is imported from Alberta, have tripled from $7.62 to $19.77 over the last four years. In the same time period, electricity prices produced by Manitoba Hydro have stayed largely stable.
Wind power
Manitoba has two large wind farms that supply the province with power. The 138 MW St. Joseph Wind Farm and the 120 MW St. Leon wind farm have a combined capacity to generate enough power to serve approximately 90,000 homes.
The Government of Manitoba's new Affordable Energy Plan seeks to drive the deployment of more Indigenous-led wind power projects across the province.
Economic opportunities
In addition to cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions, a clean electricity grid can stimulate investment in innovation, provide economic opportunities, and create good jobs.
New jobs
Electrification and the transition to cleaner forms of electricity generation is expected to create good jobs across Canada. For instance, independent experts from Clean Energy Canada (PDF) forecast that Manitoba will see around 99,100 clean energy jobs added between 2025 and 2050.
NFI Group INC. is a leading provider of zero-emission buses and coaches. NFI currently employs nearly 3,000 Manitobans. NFI's plans to establish an All-Canadian Build facility will create 250 direct jobs in Winnipeg and hundreds more indirect jobs.
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