Municipalities onside with turbine project

On the eve of a series of public engagement sessions, officials with the City of Brandon and two nearby municipalities in the path of a major Manitoba Hydro turbine project say they’re in favour of the current plan.

The project, announced by Premier Wab Kinew in November and expected to cost up to $3 billion, would see three combustion turbine units built at the Brandon Generating Station to help power the province during peak usage times.

Natural gas pipelines would need to be installed in the rural municipalities of Elton and Cornwallis to connect to a main line.

Now in the engagement phase, Hydro is planning to host two open houses in Westman — on Feb. 28 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Riverdale Community Centre in Rivers and on March 3 at the Brandon Legion. As well, virtual information sessions are scheduled for Feb. 24 at noon, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. and March 4 at noon.

Brandon city manager Dave Wardrop said the city is “very excited” about the project.

“We’re eager to work with and partner with Manitoba Hydro to deliver on the project and see the benefits for the community that will come from it, both during its construction and its operation,” Wardrop said on Friday.

“It’s terrific news,” he said.

He said the city has had a number of conversations with Hydro about the project and is working closely to partner together.

Partnering could include sharing space or facilities, but could be “all sorts of things,” he said.

“I think it provides for efficient use of resources across both departments, and helps build partnership.”

Wardrop added that there aren’t any concerns about the project at this time.

“So far, things have gone very well.”

Brandon’s acting mayor said it’s a “huge” project for Brandon, especially for economic development, construction and spinoffs.

“The city recognizes clearly that there’s Hydro capacity issues, which is going to stunt growth for us — commercial and industrial growth for us — which is really important for a growing city,” Glen Parker said.

“I can’t imagine we would be opposed to this in any fashion,” he said.

“You don’t often hear $3-billion investment and Brandon in the same sentence. So, it’s a pretty significant piece for Brandon.”

Parker said while he can’t speak for the rest of council, he considers it a good plan.

“I think it sounds like a great project and something that we really would have to support … if we’re thinking in terms of growth at all,” he said.

Elton Reeve Ches Bollman said there aren’t any major concerns about the pipelines going through the municipality, as long as it’s done properly.

“I think it’s a good thing they’re doing it because I think we definitely need the expansion of power up in this area,” Bollman said.

The two natural gas pipelines would traverse a large portion of Elton, and a shorter distance in Cornwallis. There are several routes proposed across the two municipalities.

Bollman said the Elton council has met with Hydro about the pipeline routes, but overall hasn’t spoken with the Crown corporation much.

“As far as the RM’s concerned, I don’t think there’s going to be too much concern. There might be a little bit more concerns as far as putting them in on farmland. It might be more of a concern for individual people,” he said.

“They generally treat everybody pretty good when they’re doing work on somebody’s land, when they’re working on the pipeline. They’re good that way.”

Cornwallis Reeve Mike Waddell said if possible, he would like to see the pipelines placed in areas with existing rights of way.

He also said it’s also important that Hydro can fulfil its mandate.

“We’re supportive of Manitoba Hydro wanting to provide power to Manitobans,” Waddell said.

“We’re supportive of the process, and we’re supportive of the end goal, and we will probably have some input in the process, and we’re encouraging the landowners who may or may not be affected to put their voices into the mix as well.”

The RM and Hydro are currently planning to meet together, Waddell said.

He encouraged everyone to go the open houses and ask questions.

Adrien Sala, the minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, said the province’s demand for energy is growing, and that it needs to continue to provide a reliable and affordable supply of energy.

Hydro’s website says that peak demand for electricity — typically in the dead of winter — will exceed capacity by 2029 or 2030.

Sala said the new turbines are “going to provide us that backup power that we’ll have the ability to turn on with the flick of a switch during the coldest days of winter and when our hydroelectric system is experiencing stress.

“Overall, this investment will ensure continued reliability in the years ahead,” he said in an interview Friday.

He said the Brandon location is “the most suitable” across the province, as Hydro currently has other power resources nearby.

“With these turbines, you can be sure that when you need that energy, that you can access it,” Sala (St. James) said.

The turbines would be powered by natural gas once built, but made to be dual-fuel, which could later be powered by alternative fuels such as hydrogen.

“At a later date, when it becomes economic, we will be able to explore the use of alternative fuels,” he said.

When asked when another fuel source might be used, Sala said the province will “certainly be continuing to look at that to determine when that might be feasible.”

The turbines would only be operated between two and five per cent of the year, he said.

In an email, Manitoba Hydro said the turbines would be used intermittently so that the corporation can meet its net-zero goals.

The open houses and information sessions allow people to give feedback on all aspects of the project, the email said. Feedback from the first virtual meeting earlier this week included routing of the pipelines, it said.

The proposed project needs approval from several government branches as well.

Construction could start as early as 2028. The recommended plan for the turbines is for 750 megawatts of capacity. Hydro said the preliminary cost of the project is between $2.5 and $3 billion, though that could change.

The opening of the facility is slated for 2030.

» alambert@brandonsun.com