Manitoba Hydro faces trade hurdles for $3-billion turbine project

Manitoba Hydro’s $3-billion plan to expand its Brandon generating station with natural gas turbines is facing complications due to ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States. The utility has a reservation agreement to purchase three turbines from GE Vernova, a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Premier Wab Kinew has expressed uncertainty regarding the deal, noting that while the agreement was made with GE Canada, the manufacturer is linked to the U.S. firm. Kinew suggested that the province might consider prioritizing infrastructure spending on companies that respect Canadian and Manitoban business interests, particularly if U.S. firms face eligibility issues due to trade disputes.

The proposal has also drawn criticism from the Climate Action Team Manitoba. The environmental group has questioned the consistency of the government’s position, suggesting that the province should not invest billions in U.S.-manufactured technology while navigating trade conflicts.