A formal whistleblower complaint made months ago under the new Public Interest Disclosure Act prompted the audit. Auditor General Carol Bellringer will examine management practices that identify, measure and monitor risk at Manitoba Hydro.

The Manitoba Public Utilities Board has raised serious concerns over the company's ambitious $18 billion construction plans to build Conawapa and Keeyask dams, plus a high voltage transmission power line along the west side of Lake Manitoba.

Hydro President Bob Brennan says he is not worried by the audits. He says the public utility is managing risks well while keeping rates among the lowest in North America. The Hydro audits will probably not be competed until next year.