Project overview
Our 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) road map identified that peak demand for electricity will exceed our capacity by 2029/2030 and we will need approximately 1760 megawatts (MW) of added capacity by 2035. The recommended development plan included 750 MW of capacity from combustion turbines.
Map of the preferred route for the natural gas pipeline right-of-way between the Moore Park primary gate station along TC Energy’s Canadian Mainline and the Brandon generating station.
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 has been.
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.
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, 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
We continue to welcome feedback on the combustion turbine units and electrical transmission upgrades to help inform our notice of alteration for the existing Environment Act Licence for the Brandon generating station.
We’ve selected a preferred route for the natural gas pipeline right-of-way based on feedback received during Round 1 engagement and the environmental assessment process to-date.
View the preferred route in more detail on the interactive mapping feedback portal (arcgis.com).
Round 2 engagement has started and will be open until July 31, 2026.
Open houses
We will be hosting two open houses in June. Drop in any time to learn more about the project and share your feedback:
Saturday, June 6 from 12:00 p.m to 2:30 p.m. - Douglas
- Douglas Hall & Rink, located at 103 Railway Street, Douglas MB
Wednesday, June 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Brandon
- Brandon Legion, located at 560 13 St E, Brandon, MB
Virtual information sessions
We will be holding these virtual information sessions on Microsoft Teams to provide an update on the project, seek feedback, and answer questions:
- Register for June 9 at 7:00 p.m.
- Register for June 17 at 7:00 p.m.
- Register for June 19 at 12:00 p.m.
Take our survey
We have developed a brief survey to gather your thoughts, interests and concerns about the preferred route for the natural gas pipeline right-of-way. The survey will be available until July 31, 2026.
Complete the surveyTimeline
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 pipeline 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 engagement
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).