History of Regional Interconnections
Manitoba has a long tradition of electricity trade, dating back to the first transmission line between the province and the Ontario in the 1950s. Since then, numerous additional interconnections have been added, increasing the magnitude of trade with our customers in the U.S., Ontario and Saskatchewan.
In addition to bilateral energy sale agreements with partner utilities, Manitoba Hydro is an external participant with the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) which provides Manitoba Hydro an opportunity to buy and sell energy in one of the largest electric energy markets in North America.
U.S. Interconnections
- 1970: first 230 kV power transmission line built in Manitoba connects the two countries from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Grand Forks, North Dakota. It enabled a power exchange with the Northern States Power Company of Minneapolis, Otter Tail Power Company of Fergus Falls, and Minnkota Power Cooperative Inc. of Grand Forks.
- 1976: second 230 kV interconnection connects Minnesota Power of Duluth to southeastern Manitoba.
- 1980: third interconnection, a 500 kV transmission line, connects with United Power Association (now Great River Energy) of Maple Grove, Northern States Power Company and Minnesota Power, more than doubling Manitoba’s power exchange capability with the U.S.
- 2002: third 230 kV interconnection increases capability to import and export 200 megawatts as well as improve the reliability of supply in North Dakota and western Manitoba.
Canadian Interconnections
- 1956: a 115 kV power transmission line is built between Seven Sisters Generating Station and Kenora, Ontario
- 1960: a 138 kV transmission line constructed between Brandon to Boundry Dam in Saskatchewan. The line was upgraded to 230kv in 1968.
- 1972 & 1973: two additional 230 kV interconnections are built between Seven Sisters Generating Station and Kenora, Ontario.
- 1972: a second connection between Manitoba and Saskatchewan with a 230 kV line connecting Dauphin and Yorkton.
- 1974: Two 115 kV lines are constructed between Flin Flon, MB and Island Falls, Saskatchewan
- 1979: The Pas and E.B. Campbell hydro-electric dam near Carrot River, Saskatchewan are connected via a 230 kV transmission line.
Current Trade Agreements
Manitoba Hydro currently has15 formal long term current and future export trade agreements with 7 electric utilities and numerous short term agreements with a variety of electric utilities and marketers in mid-western U.S., Ontario and Saskatchewan. In addition, Manitoba Hydro is a market participant with the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (one of the largest electricity markets in the United States), the Independent Electricity System Operator (Ontario), and the Alberta Electricity System Operator. The liquidity that is provided by these markets allows Manitoba Hydro to optimize the power produced from the corporation's predominantly hydro-electric generating facilities.
Four of the long term agreements involve seasonal diversity exchanges of power ranging from 150 MW to 350 MW with two American utilities. Seasonal diversity exchanges are a particularly valuable form of agreement as the exchanges provide (i) capacity to U.S. utilities in the summer season to meet their summer peaking demand and capacity to Canadian utilities in the winter season to meet their winter-peaking demand, and (ii) the ability to sell energy that is surplus to Manitoba Hydro's domestic requirements when experiencing normal or better water conditions and the ability to purchase energy during years in which Manitoba Hydro is experiencing below normal water flow conditions.
In 2010-11 export sales totalled $398 million with 84 per cent derived from the U.S. market and 16 per cent from sales to Canadian markets.
| Customer | Capacity | Contract Period | Sale Type |
|---|---|---|---|
Xcel Energy |
500 MW |
2009-2015 |
System Participation |
150 MW |
1995-2015 |
Seasonal Diversity |
|
200 MW |
1996-2015 |
Seasonal Diversity |
|
375/325 MW |
2015-2025 |
System Participation |
|
350 MW |
2015-2025 |
Seasonal Diversity |
|
125 MW |
2021-2025 |
System Participation |
|
Great River Energy |
150 MW |
1995-2015 |
Seasonal Diversity |
Minnesota Power |
250 MW |
2020-2035 |
System Participation |
Wisconsin Public Service |
100 MW |
2021-2027 |
System Participation |
100/108 MW (energy only) |
2009-2023 |
System Participation |
