Project overview
Our 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) road map has identified that peak demand for electricity by 2029/2030 will exceed our capacity, and we will need approximately 1760 megawatts (MW) of added capacity by 2035. Included in the recommended development plan is 750 MW of capacity from combustion turbines.
The 2025 IRP road map identified that dispatchable capacity resources will be an essential part of meeting demand in the next decade, especially during Manitoba’s coldest winter days. Dispatchable capacity resources are those that can be turned on and off fairly easily to meet changes in demand. Meeting peak demand during Manitoba’s coldest winter days is essential.
To address this need, we are pursuing the development of additional combustion turbine units at the Brandon generating station. These turbines, initially fueled by natural gas, offer a dependable, dispatchable capacity resource that can be developed relatively quickly. Based on current system planning modeling and economics, we expect any combustion turbine will operate infrequently – primarily to serve peak demand and as a backstop resource during periods of drought, extreme weather, or during other system contingencies.
We’re seeking turbines with dual-fuel capability or adaptability to alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, to support long-term flexibility. IRP modeling consistently identified combustion turbines as a feasible option but no final decision was made with the recommended development plan.
Planning area and route options for the natural gas pipelines as part of the Brandon dispatchable capacity project. The natural gas pipeline right-of-way will be routed between the Moore Park primary gate station along TC Energy’s Canadian Mainline and the Brandon generating station.
The Brandon dispatchable capacity project is made up of three main parts: the planning for new combustion turbine units at the Brandon generating station, electrical transmission and distribution equipment upgrades and planning and routing a right-of-way for new natural gas pipelines in the area. The right-of-way, being proposed by Manitoba Hydro on behalf of Centra Gas, will include a natural gas pipeline to deliver non-odourized natural gas from the TC Energy's Canadian Mainline to the Brandon generating station, and an additional natural gas pipeline that will supply odourized natural gas to the Brandon and southwest Manitoba gas distribution system to enhance reliability and capacity in the area.
Required approvals
The project is subject to a number of approvals including a Major New Facilities Review by the Public Utilities Board, a Notice of Alteration on the existing Environment Act Licence for the Brandon generating station (2497 R, www.gov.mb.ca, PDF, 641KB), and a new Environment Act Licence for the natural gas pipeline right-of-way. Portions of the project may also be subject to regulatory review under the Federal Impact Assessment Act.
How to participate
This winter, we are engaging on route options for the natural gas pipeline right-of-way and seeking feedback on the environmental assessment process. We will be looking for feedback on the combustion turbine units as part of our notice of alteration for the existing Environment Act Licence for the Brandon generating station.
Open houses
We will be hosting two open houses in February. Come to learn more about the project and share your feedback.
- Tuesday, February 17 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. – Brandon Brandon Legion, 560 13 St E, Brandon, MB
- Saturday, February 28 from 12-2:30 p.m. – Rivers Rivers Curling Club, Riverdale Community Centre at 101 Main St, Rivers, MB
Virtual information sessions
We're holding virtual information sessions on Microsoft Teams:
- Register for Thursday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m.
- Register for Tuesday, February 24 at 12:00 p.m.
- Register for Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m.
- Register for Wednesday, March 4 at 12:00 p.m.
Take our survey
We’ve developed a survey to gather your thoughts, interests and concerns about the project. Your input will help us to develop a preferred route for the new right-of-way and will inform the environmental assessment processes. This survey will be available until March 31, 2026.
Complete the surveyFeedback
Provide additional feedback and view the project maps until March 31, 2026 (mbhydro.maps.arcgis.com).
Timeline
Combustion turbine units
- pre-engagement: November - December 2025
- Major New Facility Review with the Public Utilities Board: early 2026
- engagement: January 2026 - June 2026
- file notice of alteration for regulatory review: summer 2026
- licensing decision: late 2027
- combustion turbine unit construction start if notice of alteration approved: early 2028
- target in-service date: summer 2030
New natural gas pipeline right-of-way
- pre-engagement: November - December 2025
- Round 1 engagement: January 2026 - March 2026
- Round 2 engagement: May 2026 - July 2026
- file environmental assessment report for regulatory review: fall 2026
- licensing decision: estimated spring 2028
- gas pipelines construction start, if licence approved: summer 2028
- target in-service date: summer 2030
Resources
Additional information on the project is available from these resources:
Featured resources
- Round 1 project information summary (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Alternate route segment overview map (PDF, 3.4 MB)
- Alternate route segment detailed mapbook (PDF, 3.1 MB)
GIS data
This zip file contains spatial files in ESRI Shapefile format of the project infrastructure. They are viewable using geographic information system software. We recommend extracting the files to your computer, rather than opening them online. The .kml file will allow you to view the route(s) with software such as Google Earth®.
Do not download these files if they are beyond your computer’s or internet connection’s ability as they can cause your computer to temporarily stop working (require a restart).
Alternate route segments(.ZIP, 24 KB)