Manitoba Hydro’s commercial branch is resuming operations of its international energy consulting business.
The public utility announced in 2021, under the prior Progressive Conservative government, that Manitoba Hydro International, a wholly owned subsidiary, would wind down its consulting operations.
The Crown corporation said at the time consulting work was “least aligned” with its core operations, and that the industry is dominated by large firms that solely focus on energy consulting.
But on Monday, Manitoba Hydro board chair Ben Graham and Finance Minister Adrien Sala, also minister for hydro, announced the subsidiary will resume consulting work.
The New Democratic Party’s Sala pointed the finger at the Tories, accusing them of prioritizing privatization of the public utility over keeping energy rates low when the government ordered the utility to wind down its consulting operations.
Sala said resumed operations will provide a new revenue source and will allow the province to share hydro-electric expertise with other countries.
“We have a wealth of knowledge and experience that we can lend the world,” he said, adding that the province could be a leader in the green “low-carbon economy.”
Graham said the move will improve the Crown corporation’s bottom line.
“MHI has consistently delivered a net annual income in the millions of dollars,” he said, adding revenues are expected to increase.
He said the resumption of consulting service will create new professional and well-paid jobs in the province.
Graham said the average net income of the subsidiary was between $6million and $8 million a year prior to 2021.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca