Renewable Energy in Canada

Current Status and Near-Term Developments in Manitoba

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Manitoba

Wind turbines in snow covered fields in rural Manitoba on a cold winter day.

Manitoba has one of the least emissions-intensive electricity grids in Canada, with nearly all its electricity coming from renewable sources. Hydroelectricity dominates the province’s generation mix, with 16 stations supplying 97% of its electricity in 2023.Footnote 1 This abundance of hydroelectricity also allows Manitoba to export electricity to Minnesota, North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Manitoba’s electricity system is primarily managed by Manitoba Hydro, a provincial Crown corporation responsible for the majority of generation, transmission, and distribution.Footnote 2 A small number of independent power producers contribute to the grid, primarily through wind and biomass projects under power purchase agreements with Manitoba Hydro.Footnote 3 The electricity sector is regulated at the provincial level by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) of Manitoba, which oversees electricity rates.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2023, Manitoba generated 33.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, with 33.2 TWh (99.7%) coming from renewable sources.
  • Renewable capacity grew from 5,180 megawatts (MW) in 2010 to 6,445 MW in 2023, a 25% increase. Most of this growth came from hydroelectricity (1,109 MW), followed by wind (154 MW).
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Electricity and Renewable Energy Trends

Surplus hydroelectricity enables Manitoba to export a substantial share of its power – about 32% of Manitoba Hydro’s total electric revenue in 2024 – to Minnesota, North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.Footnote 4 These exports support grid reliability and flexibility in neighboring jurisdictions, while providing economic returns to the province.

Despite low water conditions reducing hydroelectric generation in some years, hydroelectricity meets most of the province’s electricity needs. Manitoba also maintains a modest amount of natural gas capacity—4.2% of total capacity in 2023—which can be ramped up when needed to backfill for other sources and ensure grid reliability. Manitoba’s robust dispatchable hydroelectric base is also well-positioned to help integrate variable renewable resources, such as wind.

Figures 1 and 2 show historical trends in generation and installed capacity, respectively. Figure 2 also includes planned capacity additions for 2024–2030. The planned portion of the figure may be conservative; additional projects could be announced and come online before 2030, and some projects in the outlook might not proceed.

Figure 1: Electricity Generation by Type in Manitoba

Figure 1: Electricity Generation by Type in Manitoba

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Source and Text Alternative

Source: The primary source for electricity generation data comes from Statistics Canada. Table 25-10-0020-01, 25-10-0084-01, and 25-10-0028-01 are combined to display data for all categories and years.

Data: Electricity Generation by Type in Manitoba [XLSX 21 KB]

Text Alternative: This graph illustrates electricity generation from 2010 to 2023 in Manitoba. In 2010, Manitoba’s total generation was 33.8 TWh (99.6% renewable). In 2023, total generation was 33.3 TWh (99.7% renewable). Most generation in 2023 came from hydroelectricity (96.9%) and wind (2.5%).

Figure 2: Electricity Capacity and Future Changes in Manitoba

Figure 2: Electricity Capacity and Future Changes in Manitoba

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Source and Text Alternative

Source: The primary source for electricity generation capacity data comes from Statistics Canada. Table 25-10-0022-01 and Table 25-10-0023-01 are combined to display data for all of the categories. It is supplemented by additional project-level data for planned capacity from provincial governments, utilities, and system operators, as well as industry associations.

Data: Electricity Capacity and Future Changes in Manitoba [XLSX 21 KB]

Text Alternative: This graph illustrates historical electricity generation capacity from 2010 to 2030 in Manitoba. In 2010, the province’s total installed electricity capacity was 5,681 MW (91.1% renewable). In 2023, capacity had grown to 6,737 MW (95.7% renewable). In 2030, based on planned capacity additions, capacity reaches 6,789 MW (95.7% renewable).

Manitoba has one ethanol facility that produces 130 million litres per year using wheat and corn. The province also operates two small wood pellet plants with a combined capacity of 12,000 tonnes annually. Manitoba also produced 9 PJ of solid biofuel in 2023. Manitoba is home to the country’s largest heat-only biomass boiler (14.3 MW) and has a total of 31 MW of biomass boiler capacity, in community, light industrial, institutional, commercial, and agricultural sectors.

In 2023, the province had 37.4 MW of distributed solar capacity.Footnote 5

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Recent and Planned Renewable Electricity and Energy Storage Projects

This section highlights selected renewable electricity and energy storage projects in Manitoba, either recently completed or planned for development between 2025 and 2030. This list is not comprehensive and is based on information available as of September 2025.

  • Pointe du Bois Generating Station Refurbishment – A hydroelectric project by Manitoba Hydro, plans to add 52 MW of capacity; replacing eight turbines by 2027Footnote 6.
  • Indigenous-Led Wind Projects – Under Manitoba's Affordable Energy Plan, Manitoba Hydro has issued an Expression of Interest for up to 600 MW of new wind capacity, with each project requiring majority Indigenous ownership. Specific projects and timelines have not been announcedFootnote 7.
  • Portage Area Capacity Enhancement Project – A transmission infrastructure project by Manitoba Hydro; enhancing reliability for southwest Manitoba customers, while reducing reliance on the gas-fired Brandon generating station. Planned to become operational by 2028Footnote 8.
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