Province brings back Manitoba Hydro’s international consulting business

Manitoba Hydro International, a subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro, is getting back into international consulting, three years after leaving the space following a third-party review.

Manitoba Hydro’s commercial branch is bringing back its international consulting business after announcing it would wind down in 2021.

The Crown corporation said at the time the endeavor was the least aligned with core operations.

But that all changed Monday, when Manitoba Hydro Board Chair Ben Graham and Manitoba Finance Minster Adrien Sala announced the renewal.

“This will bring in another source of revenue for Manitoba Hydro, keeping it public and keeping rates low for you,” Sala said. “It will also allow Manitoba to share our expertise with the world, further cementing our role as the leader of the low carbon economy and the transition to a greener future.”

Sala blamed the previous government for prioritizing privatization of the public utility over keeping energy rates low. Graham claimed that since ramping down, they have lost out on tens of millions of dollars.

“There were about 30 opportunities in the last 12 months that MHI has not been able to respond to,” he said.

MHI stated the average net income of the subsidiary prior to 2021 was between $6-8 million, which it hopes it can get back to. MHI will now begin the process of bidding on energy projects in countries around the world, eventually leading to lower rates.

“We’re going to prudent, very methodical in the contracts we take on, so you might start to see those positive returns start to flow through in four to five years,” Graham said.