Renewable energy is electricity that is produced from cleaner resources, including the sun, wind, water and organic matter. Renewable energy sources are replenished by nature and are a cleaner source of energy.
Yes. Manitoba Hydro supports innovative ways to use and conserve energy sources that protect our environment. We allow customers who own their own electric renewable customer owned generation systems to connect to our distribution system as long as they are interconnected according to procedures that have been adopted to safely protect the customer and Manitoba Hydro.
Customer owned generation sources can take many forms, all of which involve special attention to safety for customers and Manitoba Hydro employees. (See Standby Electric Generator Safety). Some of these forms of generation may include wind, solar, bio-energy, methane, and fossil fuels. All customer owned generation must be installed in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and be inspected prior to being energized. All customer owned generation sources that are interconnected with the Manitoba Hydro system must follow the Distributed Resource Interconnection Procedures.
No. Our focus is on larger generation projects. The responsibility to install alternative energy generators such as wind generation for example, is up to the customer. Customers interested in wind power generation should visit the Canadian Wind Energy Association ball park cost calculator.
We do not endorse any equipment suppliers. We suggest you contact the following associations for more information:
In order to size your system, identify your individual emergency or critical load energy requirements. Calculate your home’s energy costs. It’s also worth considering what energy requirements you can reduce through, for example, energy-efficient appliances, added insulation, and lighting.
It is the generator’s responsibility to secure all required approvals needed from the various bodies. The forms required depend on the type of customer owned generation you are using. See Distributed Resource Interconnection Procedures for Customer Owned Generation Projects 10 MW or less on the 25 kV or less Distribution System for a listing of all associated forms. Subject to Manitoba Hydro witnessing and agreeing to commissioning test results, the customer must sign the required forms.
Please refer to our Technical Requirements for Generators Connecting to Manitoba Hydro’s Distribution System (DRG2003 spec).
Manitoba Hydro has developed a step-by-step procedure that outlines the essential steps for customer owned generation sources that are continuously paralleled with the Manitoba Hydro system (exporting/selling power or non-exporting). The customer must be interconnected under the established Distributed Resource Interconnection Procedures.
Customers should always ensure that their customer owned generation sources are installed and operated according to the manufacturer’s specification as well as the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC). As well, read Standby Electric Generator Safety.
To obtain some preliminary information, generators must contact Manitoba Hydro. We will then undertake a high level assessment (preliminary estimation) to determine whether the connection is feasible and if so, how it could impact the distribution system. See Flow Chart (appendix 2 under bookmark)
Capacity on the distributed system may be limited due to the characteristics and loading of individual feeders. The capacity available can be determined in the preliminary estimation.
Connection costs vary widely and depend on the extent to which a generation facility impacts the distribution system. Manitoba Hydro will meet with the customer to discuss the project prior to requiring payment of an interconnection study fee. In addition to the study fee, the customer will also be responsible for the cost of the interconnection protection equipment and any additional equipment installations required to support the generator. Manitoba Hydro will give the customer a preliminary meeting before study money is invested.
Note of Caution: Manitoba Hydro’s experience shows that smaller power projects can be costly to set up and operate. Customers are encouraged to evaluate the amount of energy you expect to produce and the economics of the project to determine your overall cost of electricity.
Customers have the option of selling excess customer owned electricity generated by their system back to Manitoba Hydro. Customers electing to sell back excess power can do so under the Distributed Resource Interconnection Procedures if the system is 10 MW or less. The rate schedule is applicable only to qualifying facilities electing to configure their systems such that they are safely interconnected with Manitoba Hydro.
At this time, Manitoba Hydro does not offer any rebates for the installation of renewable customer owned generation sources. However, check with the Federal Government for incentives.
Any amount of generation produced by the customer, Manitoba Hydro negotiates a Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) based on hours of operation, type, reliability, etc.
Note of caution: Manitoba Hydro’s experience shows that smaller power projects can be costly to set up and operate. Customers are encouraged to evaluate the amount of energy you expect to produce and the economics of the project to determine your overall cost of electricity.
