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The Future of Hydro

The global hydro industry is vigorously promoting the expansion of hydropower.1

  • Untapped hydro potential in Manitoba: 5,000 MW2
     
  • Untapped hydro potential in Canada: 163,000 MW3

  • Untapped hydro potential in the U.S.: 25,000 MW4
     
  • Percentage of hydropower potential that remains undeveloped in:5
    • Asia: 78
    • Africa: 93
    • Europe: 25
    • South America: 67
    • North America: 31
       
  • About 14,000 MW worth of hydro projects are currently under construction or serious consideration in Canada.6


The future of hydro in Manitoba7

  • Projects under construction:
    • Wuskwatim (for more see EnergyManitoba.org)
      • Capacity: 200 MW
      • Projected cost: $1.6 billion (generation and transmission)
      • Scheduled completion: 2012
  • Projects being actively pursued but not yet under construction:
    • Keeyask
      • Capacity: 695 MW
      • Projected cost: $5.6 billion
      • Projected construction period: 7-8 years
      • In-service date: as early as 2021
    • Conawapa
      • Capacity: 1,485 MW
      • Projected cost: $7.7 billion
      • Projected construction period: 8-8.5 years
      • Earliest in-service date: 2023
  •  Other potential sites (on the Nelson, Churchill and Burntwood rivers):


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Notes

 

  1. For example, see the International Hydropower Association's pamphlet "Hydro's Contribution," and the Canadian Hydropower Association's booklet "Hydropower in Canada" (both accessed August 2010 / "Hydro's Contribution" no longer available online). See also our "Image of Clean" photo gallery.
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  2. Source: Manitoba Government's Power for Business webpage (accessed January 2011).
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  3. Source: Speaking notes of a presentation by Jacob Irving, President, Canadian Hydropower Association, at the 25th Transamerica Conference, August 11, 2009.
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  4. Ibid.
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  5. These figures refer to projects deemed technically and economically viable. Source: "Hydropower: Making a Significant Contribution Worldwide," an International Hydropower Association pamphlet. The data quoted is for 2003. (Accessed August 2010 / no longer available online.)
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  6. Source: "Power Connections: Canadian Electricity Trade and Foreign Policy," Roger J. Goodman, Canadian International Council, June 2010, pages 19, 20.
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  7. Sources: Winnipeg Free Press articles of Jan 6, 2011 and May 26, 2011; Manitoba Hydro's future development web section; the Manitoba Government's "Power for Business" webpage; Keeyask news release, May 29, 2009; and "Manitoba Hydro, Minnesota Power agree on electricity sale," CBC.ca, January 29, 2008 (accessed January 2011).
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