Manitoba Hydro to Sell Power to Saskatchewan Through New Transmission Line











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Manitoba Hydro power lines are photographed just outside Winnipeg on May 1, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods) Manitoba Hydro power lines are photographed just outside Winnipeg on May 1, 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Hydro has signed a deal with SaskPower to sell up to 215 megawatts of renewable hydroelectricity to the Saskatchewan utility.

The transaction will last a minimum of 18 years, with the potential to extend it to 30 years.

Hydro says the deal will begin in 2022, but didn’t disclose financial terms of the transaction.

“We anticipate a final legal contract for the sale will be concluded in mid-2019,” said Kelvin Shepherd, president and CEO of Manitoba Hydro.

“The energy we will be providing to SaskPower is reliable, renewable hydroelectricity that is currently surplus to the needs of Manitobans. Revenues from this sale will assist in keeping electricity rates affordable for our Manitoba customers, while helping SaskPower expand and diversify its renewable energy supply.”

A new 230,000-volt, 80-kilometre transmission line, announced in 2015, will carry the power between Birtle, Manitoba and Tantallon, Saskatchewan. It’s anticipated to be complete in 2021.