Read the PUB hearing transcripts

Allow me to make a response and clarifications to a recent letter to the editor (Brandon Sun — Aug.22) by a representative of Manitoba Hydro. Firstly, the headline of the letter, “Plan balances best available options” is misleading if it speaks to the content of the letter.

To bring you up to speed, starting on July 28, Manitoba Hydro has been presenting its 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and Major New Facility (MNF) for scrutiny by the Public Utilities Board (PUB). The IRP is Manitoba Hydro’s planning for the future, as far as our energy needs are concerned.

In this “plan” to meet our future demands, are proposals for several projects. One of the proposed projects falls under the Major New Facility category. I’m referring to the proposed gas turbine power plant to be built in Brandon.

Now, regarding the letter, Manitoba Hydro probably could have pointed out that this proposal is actually one of several different projects that could “meet their timeline.” For example, battery storage. Of note, Manitoba Hydro is presenting both the IRP and the MNF as part of the PUB hearings.

In said article, it is inferred that if you don’t agree with us, then here is what Daymark Energy Advisors — the PUB independent energy expert consultant — has to say.

Now, if you were to read the transcripts of the PUB hearings (available on the PUB website) there are a number of statements that Daymark makes: 1) as far as the IRP and MNF — “they are different and should be dealt with separately.”; 2) “the quoted combustion turbine costs are not current”; 3) “storage resource options are limited and the structure of the modelling may not adequately capture the full range of services that battery storage resources can provide to the grid”; 4) there are “multiple shortcomings in how the value of battery storage is represented in the model”; 5) Manitoba Hydro had 10 potential plans, and Daymark had “multiple concerns with the plan evaluation and methodology.” They did state “plan 5A was reasonable.”; And finally 6) “the IRP is largely consistent with best practice.”

Not a “glowing” approval, and to make it very clear, they were only speaking to the IRP and not the MNF. I do agree that Manitoba Hydro employees are to be commended for their extensive analysis in developing the 2025 IRP. But, there are other plans that are just as reliable, actually more affordable (as of 2020, all renewable energy options are less costly) and let me also include our health, as we have the opportunity to join the rest of the world in distancing ourselves from using fossil fuels (natural gas).

SCOTT BLYTH

Brandon