Economic Development in Winnipeg

Winnipeg is home to Manitoba Hydro, one of Canada’s largest exporters of electricity.

The Energy and Environment cluster in Winnipeg encompasses an extremely diverse range of industries, including:

• Electrical power generation, transmission and distribution
• Natural gas distribution
• Alternative energy development
• Energy conservation
• Water conservation and treatment
• Sewage and waste disposal systems
• Environmental construction
• Environmental protection
• Development of resource-efficient technologies
• Remediation of environmental damage
• Planning and management of environmental programs

Manitoba Hydro, a provincial crown corporation, is the central player in Winnipeg’s energy cluster and a major exporter of electricity to the United States. While most of the world’s electrical power is generated through coal plants, most of Manitoba Hydro’s electricity is generated with hydroelectric dams and is therefore greenhouse gas (GHG)-free. Manitoba also has one of the most stable electrical grids and lowest prices for hydroelectricity in North America. Manitoba Hydro also encourages sustainable development and encourages innovation and development of alternative renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, geothermal heat pumps and bio-fuels.

Other players in the cluster focus on agriculture and land-related practices of soil conservation, soil remediation, nutrient management and water management, including the twin problems of drought and flood.

Winnipeg’s environmental firms have strong capabilities in waste management data management systems, water and wastewater treatment, clean energy (fuel cells, small-hydro, wind, biomass, solar, thermal, environmental control chambers and many areas related to engineering consulting) and environmental impact assessment.

Manitoba’s environmental and sustainable development strengths reside not only in the private sector, but also in well-developed not-for-profit organizations, such as:

• The International Institute for Sustainable Development, a research policy institute
• Environmental and citizens groups
• Provincial departments and agencies
• Industry organizations
• Universities and colleges
• First Nations

For more information, contact a Economic Development Winnipeg team member or one of the following organizations:

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME)
Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER)
Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA)
Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines