WINNIPEG — Manitoba Hydro’s decision to invest $3 billion in new gas-combustion turbines has come under fire as evidence emerged that turbines at its Brandon station have been forced to cut output during some of the province’s highest winter demand periods.
Outages during high-load periods
The Crown corporation disclosed during a Public Utilities Board hearing that it reduced output from the two existing gas turbines at Brandon on multiple occasions, including Dec. 20, 2022, Jan. 7, 2022 and Jan. 22–23, 2026. The latter occurred during one of the province’s largest-ever peak loads — 5,096 megawatts — when system demand was especially high.
Those incidents have prompted environmental groups and some interveners at the ongoing six-week PUB review to argue the utility should re-evaluate its plan to buy three new 250-megawatt gas turbines in Brandon by 2030, arguing alternatives may be more reliable and less harmful to the environment.
"There definitely are times here where it couldn’t run, but there are reasons for that, which (are) part of the maintenance and the sustainment (monies) that (were) not spent on that facility,"
Manitoba Hydro vice-president of operations Dave Bowen said in the hearing transcript, acknowledging outages but attributing them to maintenance, staffing and past decisions that left Brandon under-supported.
What Hydro says and what critics want
Hydro’s long-range plan projects the province could face a shortfall of up to 600 megawatts of firm capacity by the end of 2030. The utility’s 10-year strategy calls for roughly 1,760 megawatts of new capacity, a large portion of which would come from the proposed gas turbines in Brandon.
At the PUB hearing, Hydro defended the turbines as a dependable backstop in extremely cold conditions. But critics counter that the track record of the existing Brandon units — which required output reductions during several of the top 10 highest load events over the past five winters — undermines the claim that more of the same is the best long-term choice.
Details of recorded output reductions
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 20, 2022 | Output reduction | Turbine output was curtailed during high demand |
| Jan. 7, 2022 | Output reduction | Reduction noted during elevated winter load |
| Jan. 22–23, 2026 | Output reduction | Occurred during 5,096 MW peak — Hydro's second-highest load |
Questions of investment and maintenance
Bowen told the hearing the Brandon station had been treated as if it would be decommissioned in the past, and as a result Hydro did not invest in some "critical" sustainment work that would have kept the facility fully reliable. That admission sits uneasily with a plan that envisages tripling Brandon’s role through new turbines.
Participants in the PUB review are pressing Hydro for clearer evidence that the new units will deliver the promised reliability, and for detailed analysis of alternatives including demand-side measures, grid upgrades and cleaner generation options. Environmental groups emphasise greenhouse-gas implications of new gas-fired capacity.
What this means for Manitobans
The outcome of the PUB hearings could shape Manitoba’s energy mix and costs for decades. If Hydro proceeds with the turbines, ratepayers will ultimately shoulder much of the capital and operating costs. If the PUB requires changes, Hydro may need to revisit the scope, timing or technology choices in its 10-year plan.
- Shortfall risk: Hydro projects up to 600 MW shortfall by 2030 without new capacity.
- Planned additions: About 1,760 MW in the 10-year plan, with a large portion from the Brandon turbines.
- Recent performance: Existing Brandon turbines reduced output during three major winter peaks.
Next steps
The PUB hearings are expected to continue for six weeks, during which interveners can challenge assumptions, demand further data and press for alternatives. The regulator will weigh Hydro’s rationale against evidence from environmental groups, independent experts and public submissions before determining whether the utility’s plan— including the multi-billion-dollar gas-turbine purchase — is in the public interest.
As Manitoba moves to balance reliable electricity supply with environmental commitments and fiscal responsibility, the scrutiny at the PUB will be pivotal in shaping which technologies and investments form the backbone of the province’s power system over the coming decade.
