Manitoba Development and Industry

With the recent environmental review process for the Wuskwatim projects in northern Manitoba, several new hydro developments in the planning stages for Manitoba Hydro, and the Premier of Manitoba's preoccupation with "clean" hydropower, Manitobans are increasingly interested in learning about hydroelectric power and issues associated with this type of energy production. Manitoba Wildlands will be commissioning research into Manitoba's hydro system that is user-friendly and concise. We will provide these documents on this page. We will also post information from other sources related to hydropower development. Reports and documents will be featured and posted periodically.
World Commission on Dams - Contributing Report on the Churchill River Diversion	Top
The World Commission on Dams (WCD) was an independent, international, multi-stakeholder process, which addressed controversial issues associated with large dams. It provided a unique opportunity to bring into focus many assumptions and modes of thinking at the centre of the search to reconcile economic growth, social equity, environmental conservation and political participation in the changing global context. As part of its process, the WCD commissioned numerous contributing papers that formed the basis of its November 2000 final report, Dams and Development: A New Framework for Decision-Making. One of the 126 contributing papers to the WCD report summarizes the social impacts of the construction and operation of the Churchill-Nelson River Diversion project on First Nations communities in northern Manitoba, beginning in the 1970s. Download World Commission on Dams report prepared as part of Thematic Review I.2: Dams, Indigenous People and vulnerable ethnic minorities - Lake Winnipeg Regulation Churchill-Nelson River Diversion Project in the Crees of Northern Manitoba, Canada (PDF) The WCD completed its work with the launch of its final report in late 2000 and was subsequently disbanded. Visit World Commission on Dams archive website As a follow-up to the WCD, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched the Dams and Development Project. Visit United Nations Environment Programme Dams & Development Project Source: World Commission on Dams
Low Impact Hydropower Institute	Top
The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to reducing impacts of hydropower generation through certification of hydropower projects that avoid or reduce their environmental impacts pursuant to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute's criteria. Visit Low Impact Hydropower Institute's website LIHI's mission is to reduce impacts of hydropower dams through market incentives. LIHI does this through its Hydropower Certification Program, a voluntary certification program designed to help identify and reward hydropower dams that minimize their environmental impacts. Just as an organic label can help consumers choose foods and farming practices they want to support, the LIHI certification program helps energy consumers choose energy and hydropower practices they want to support. In order to be certified by the Institute, a hydropower facility must meet criteria in the following eight areas: river flows, water quality, fish passage and protection, watershed protection threatened and endangered species protection, cultural resource protection, recreation, and facilities recommended for removal. Download LIHI's Low Impact Hydropower Certification Criteria Summary of Goals and Standards (PDF) Visit LIHI's Certification Program for information, including LIHI's Certification Package Source: Low Impact Hydropower Institute
Hydro Research Reports and Documents Commissioned by Manitoba Wildlands	Top
Download The State of Hydro - A General Briefing (PDF), Manitoba Wildlands, October 2004 Download The Hydro Province: Manitoba's Hydroelectric Complex (PDF), Manitoba Wildlands, January 2005 Download Wuskwatim Commission Recommendations: A Manitoba Wildlands Comparison (PDF), February 2005 Download Clean Energy Transfer Initiative - Manitoba Wildlands Review (PDF), January 2005 Download the original Ontario/Manitoba Study Of Clean Energy Transfers (PDF) 2003 Download Hydropower Transmission in Manitoba - Manitoba Wildlands (PDF) & Appendix A Map (PDF), January 2005 Download the original Manitoba Hydro internal memo (PDF) & charts and maps (PDF), June 2000 Visit EnergyManitoba.org for more information regarding Wuskwatim projects, hydro power and energy issues in Manitoba. View Manitoba Wildlands' Energy Alternatives links View Manitoba Wildlands' Industry Associations links

Comment

Globe & Mail: Opinion Article Not Published
by Gaile Whelan Enns

Re: April 2, 2007 article: Natives hold key to Ontario power - A proposed east-west energy grid can't proceed without their support by Karen Howlett

The April 2, 2007 Globe and Mail article (Natives hold key to Ontario power - A proposed east-west energy grid can't proceed without their support) painted only a partial picture of the issues associated with the proposed transmission of hydroelectric energy from Manitoba to Ontario, by omitting some issues and downplaying others.

Funding is a major factor in the decision to proceed with the proposed 'east-west grid'. Ms. Howlett correctly points out that Ontario's share of the EcoTrust Fund is $586-million. It is unclear what portion of this amount would be applied to the east west grid. Manitoba has also committed to applying part of its $54 million share of EcoTrust funds. It is only later in the article that a figure of $1.5 billion is quoted for the Far-North Route option.
. . .
We would caution against the possibility of creating confusion as a result of referring to the 'east-west grid' as only the transmission options for Conawapa to provide power to Ontario. The 'east west grid', while still ambiguous, potentially refers to a transmission system across Canada's north that could connect as many as four provinces. Transmission lines for a future Conawap may or may not be part of the east west grid, depending on routing.

The Globe & Mail article also alludes to the question of transmission line ownership, noting that a group called the First Nations Energy Alliance, representing communities near Timmins and Thunder Bay has been established to explore the possibility of equity partnership in the transmission line. In Manitoba, this issue has already been explored in the context of both the Wuskwatim Generation and Transmission project and also as part of discussions regarding Bipole III, a direct current transmission line option with various location options. . .

Download Full April 9, 2007 Globe & Mail article MWL owl

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Hydro Map Gallery

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View the Manitoba Hydro - Current & Potential Interconnections Map By Manitoba Wildlands. View the Potential Hydro Transmission - East Side of Lake Winnipeg Map By Manitoba Wildlands.
Potential Manitoba East Side Hydro Routes, First Nation RMAs By Hobbs & Associates Inc.		Potential & Existing Manitoba Generating Stations and Transmission Lines Manitoba Government
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Manitoba Hydro Southern Operations Transmission lines and generating stations in Southern Manitoba. By Manitoba Wildlands.		Manitoba Hydro Winnipeg River Operations Transmission lines and generating stations on the Winnipeg River, Manitoba. By Manitoba Wildlands.
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Proposed and Existing Hydro Dams - Northern Manitoba This map displays Proposed and Existing hydro dams, diversion channels and control structures. By Manitoba Wildlands		Potential Hydro-Electric Development Sites on Developed Waterways This map is from the 1997 Manitoba Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement. By the Manitoba Eco-Net Mapping Centre.
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Manitoba Hydro - Existing and Potential Interconnections This map shows the existing and proposed transmission lines, dams and converter stations. By Manitoba Wildlands.		Manitoba Hydro Generation - Reserves/Licenses This map shows existing dams, water power licences and water power reserves. By Manitoba Wildlands
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