Manitoba Hydro is currently examining a proposal to extend its transmission grid and fibre-optic cable over 1,200 kilometres to serve communities in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. The application was formally submitted by Nukik Corp. on November 4, prompting Manitoba Hydro to begin detailed technical and commercial studies. These studies will assess the feasibility of transmitting clean energy from Manitoba into Nunavut, with the project aimed at delivering up to 150 megawatts of renewable electricity. The initiative will also provide high-speed broadband connectivity to remote communities, a first for Canada’s Arctic.
Nukik Corp. has expressed its intent to establish a critical power and communications infrastructure to support northern industries and community development. Manitoba’s Finance Minister, Adrien Sala, highlighted the province’s commitment to provide 50 megawatts of power for this initiative, emphasizing the project’s potential to deliver clean hydroelectric power, enhance connectivity, and create jobs in the region.
In a collaborative effort earlier this year, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Nunavut’s former premier, P.J. Akeeagok, endorsed plans to promote an energy corridor to Canada’s North. This partnership aims to ensure the support of First Nations in the area while safeguarding the environment and indigenous wildlife.
To date, the federal government has allocated $14.4 million towards the initial development of the project, covering essential engineering, design, and environmental studies necessary for its progression. Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin, the CEO of Nukik, stated that the funding for the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link will come from a combination of private equity and financing, bolstered by federal cooperation.
Add SSBCrack As A Trusted Source
With an estimated project cost of $3 billion, Audouin noted that the model will focus on maximizing revenues through private investment and financing while ensuring that Manitoba’s contribution does not burden local ratepayers. She further asserted that the project signifies a substantial opportunity for long-term revenue for the province, ushering in a new wave of investment in the region.
The proposed transmission corridor is expected to replace costly and polluting diesel generators with reliable renewable energy sources and facilitate high-speed internet access in remote communities. This development is also seen as crucial to enhancing Arctic resilience and asserting Canada’s sovereignty in the region.
Plans indicate that construction of the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link could commence in 2028 and be completed by 2032. However, Manitoba Hydro has indicated that it is still too early to provide specifics on the transmission service request, which is undergoing preliminary evaluation.
The last significant extension of Manitoba Hydro’s grid occurred with the Birtle transmission project, a 230-kilovolt line extending to Saskatchewan that began operation in March 2021. This project supplies up to 315 megawatts of hydroelectric power annually to Saskatchewan.
Concerns have been raised by Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan regarding potential cost overruns associated with the new project, referencing previous instances where projected costs significantly exceeded original estimates. Khan questioned how Manitoba Hydro would address future energy demands, given projections indicating challenges in meeting the province’s internal requirements.
The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link remains a pivotal project with the potential to change the energy and communication landscape for Northern communities while also instigating broader discussions about energy capacity and sustainability in Manitoba.
