PF-ONE Proposal

Our Understanding of Manitoba Hydro’s Needs

We understand that Manitoba Hydro faces significant challenges due to aging infrastructure that will require billions in repairs and upgrades. The utility must replace or overhaul degrading generating stations, transmission towers, and distribution lines, leading to more service failures and outages. • On January 20, 2025, Manitoba Hydro recorded a peak electricity usage of 5,111.5 megawatts, surpassing the previous record by 183 megawatts. This high demand necessitated purchasing additional electricity from the energy market. The aging infrastructure and growing electricity demand highlight the need for significant investment in grid maintenance and upgrades. • Adding around 7,500 customers each year further increases electricity demand. Manitoba Hydro is exploring energy efficiency measures and new energy sources to ensure a reliable supply. • Manitoba Hydro is a major player in the continent-wide energy market connected to the United States, allowing for electricity import and export. This provides flexibility to meet demand, importing electricity when needed and exporting surplus capacity. However, future tariffs and trade policies could impact the certainty of these imports and exports. • Advancing technologies of distributed solar generation and EV charging are straining present electrical grids. The dynamic nature of loads, wind, and solar leaves classical electrical grids unprepared. • Solutions are needed now to meet the one-decade timeline to achieve zero emissions. Costs for replacing entire distribution networks, especially within dense city landscapes, are prohibitive. We know that the ideal solution to these challenges must use existing networks and assets, increase network capacity, maintain stability, increase efficiency, and be effortless to implement at scale.

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