They are in massive debt, and the PUB is concerned they won't be able to make ends meet. And not only that , they are going to have to build natural gas plants to meet power sales to the USA because they can't get their new dams built in time. Complete mess....then just think when they build the BIPOLE 3 on the west side......Hydro rates are going up 9% in 2 years , and they are going to have to go up more in the future because the NDP and Hydro do not have a clue how to run the business. No worries about privatization .....no company would want to buy the mess called Manitoba Hydro...not unless they want to go broke.
I understand bipole 3 may go underwater. Its feasible with the new underwater plowing systems and perhaps cheaper ( pending cable / barge/transport cost )
Perhaps a change in leadesrship....nah....just another political /bureaucratic hack would replace the present guy.
No they won't lose the contracts.....those states just need 25 % of the power to come from clean places ( like Hydro ) , plus they would say it would only be temporary, which won't be the case, because Manitoba's electricity usage is forecast to explode.
well it will be very expensive to buy natgas to produce the enrgy that they will be selling . I am assuming they based their cost on hydro generated electricty, which could be significantly cheaper then natgas generated.
Either way, they are behind the eight ball. Which is pretty normal.
Selinger is totally for it, but Doer says no. Hydro never even looked into it , when Brennan said it was too expensive he pulled the numbers out of his ass.
They need to put the line and a good road up the east side. I like the underwater idea best, however , there are some major issues with getting the cable to the lake.
Yes, submarine cable is very heavy and the length required makes it difficult. If there was time, it would almost make more sense to built in on site. A mini cable manufacturing plant.
"it will be very expensive to buy natgas to produce the enrgy that they will be selling" Sure and it doesn't make business sense , but that's our wonderful government for you.
Conawapa could have been built years ago, you are right. I would like to see us focus on Wind and solar power...Hydro isn't as "clean" as they would like to make us.....it causes much damage . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwoDW3WDr3I
YEs, it could possibly cost more, but if you factor in the lifespan of the cable, you have a backup, not to mention a small new industry the area could use.
You know, technically its very challenging, but when everything is in place, this type of installation is pretty smooth.
does that mean we'll have to permanently maintain it ?
yup at a cost the presumably would end up saving us money over the long run of maintaining winter roads, high shipping costs for food into the area, and costs to have hydro workers who maintain the line shipped in.
A real feasibility cost benefit analysis would need to be done as I only have snippets of information to go on, however the 500 million saved on putting the line down the east side alone would sure help offset the costs a little.
"YEs, it could possibly cost more, but if you factor in the lifespan of the cable, you have a backup, not to mention a small new industry the area could use."
If you think about it... its not like it would be a small new industry.. build it in the right place and they have access to the churchill port.. and a world wide market.. Being up north they already have access to tons of the natural resources needed to make the wire... hmm..man if done right, it would pay for itself quite quickly.