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

WINNIPEG — The federal government is spending $18.7 million to help fund a new hydroelectric transmission line from western Manitoba to Saskatchewan.

The Birtle Transmission Line will carry 230-kilovolts beginning in the RM of Prairie View to the Manitoba–Saskatchewan border 46 kilometres northwest.

The Manitoba Hydro project will lessen Saskatchewan’s dependence on coal and lead to greener energy.

“The Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan is good not only for Manitoba, but for Canada and globally. The Birtle transmission line builds on this plan and our green competitive leadership roles, as it generates new jobs for Manitobans and gives us a clean, green marketing advantage in attracting new investment and promoting our Manitoba brand,” said Central Services Minister Reg Helwer.

Once completed, the new line will allow up to 215 megawatts of renewable hydroelectricity, which is currently surplus to Manitobans, to flow from the Manitoba Hydro power grid to the SaskPower power grid.

The province is contributing $42 million towards the project.