Aging, degrading Manitoba Hydro infrastructure could cost billions to upgrade
CTV
Manitoba Hydro may needs billions of dollars worth of upgrades for aging infrastructure.
Manitoba Hydro may needs billions of dollars worth of upgrades for aging infrastructure.
As of 2023, hydro says it's spending more than half a billion dollars on annual capital maintenance. A November 2022 capital asset forecast from Manitoba Hydro, connected to a rate application, says the Crown corporation needs to spend an additional $200 million a year to upgrade aging transmission lines and generating stations.
"Many key asset populations will require significant capital intervention in the next ten to twenty years in order to avoid accelerated system performance degradation and diminished supply,” said Corporate Communications Director Scott Powell.
Powell said this is nothing new.
More money is needed to refurbish older infrastructure but the amount will depend on what Manitoba Hydro can afford, based on rates approved by the provincial regulator and immediate and future needs.
Powell said power supplies are not in jeopardy, yet.
"Without increased maintenance and investment over time customers could experience more frequent power outages of longer duration."
