Efficiency Manitoba ready for ‘renewed’ mandate with new focus on reducing electricity demand

February 27, 2024 Canuck

The Manitoba government is promising a “renewed” mandate for Efficiency Manitoba that will continue the corporation’s focus on conserving energy, but also devote some efforts to reducing customer demand.

Efficiency Manitoba CEO Colleen Kuruluk sees opportunities in developing new programs that encourage Manitobans to reduce their demand for electricity, particularly during peak times, she said Tuesday, following a legislative committee hearing.

“I think when we first got established … we had our hands full hitting our energy savings targets, but we think now is the appropriate time to talk with the environment and climate change department to enhance or open up opportunities” around reducing electricity demand, Kuruluk said.

While Efficiency’s existing suite of electricity-reduction programs already has the effect of curtailing some demand, the corporation has yet to launch initiatives primarily focused on it.

In order to do that, Efficiency will require a new mandate from the provincial government, which environment minister Tracy Schmidt promised to deliver.

“We understand that there are some hindrances within the current regulatory framework,” Schmidt told the hearing.

Failed to reduce energy usage by target

Kuruluk said the new mandate would also support Efficiency’s efforts in reaching its legislated targets to reduce electricity and natural gas usage. Last year, the corporation saw electricity consumption fall by 1.25 per cent and natural gas consumption drop by 0.68 per cent, falling short of its targets of 1.5 per cent and 0.75 per cent, respectively. Any shortfall is carried into the next year, as per the legislation.

Kuruluk added the expanded mandate may also extend the lifespan of Manitoba’s current energy-generating capacity, which could be exhausted as early as 2029, according to Manitoba Hydro’s former CEO.

Efficiency offers more than 40 programs — ranging from rebates for energy efficient windows and doors to recycling old appliances — with the expressed intent of scaling back on energy usage.

Kuruluk said Efficiency is looking forward to launching specific demand-response programs, which would limit electricity use at times when demand is high.

For example, they could encourage better home insulation and develop electric vehicle charging stations that aren’t operating at peak times, both of which are measures that would diminish electricity demand.

“It’s been in the media quite a bit lately that Manitoba Hydro might be experiencing some capacity constraints,” she told reporters.

“If Efficiency Manitoba can deliver some specific capacity-related programs, we could really help with that effort to make sure that the grid is capable of meeting future demand.”

Kuruluk fielded questions from three Progressive Conservative MLAs throughout the legislative hearing, which lasted almost three hours.

The Tories raised doubts the NDP could follow through on its election promise to switch 5,000 homes to geothermal energy within four years, a program which will be administered by Efficiency Manitoba.

In the last fiscal year, Efficiency helped install 15 ground source heat pumps and 33 air source heat pumps, the committee heard. The number of conversions Efficiency has supported on First Nations communities wasn’t available.

“We’re not sure they can do 5,000 over four years. We heard at committee [today] that 48 had been done in the past fiscal year between ground source and air source heat pumps,” Greg Nesbitt, the PC’s environment critic, told reporters. “It leaves a lot of questions in our mind.”

Schmidt, however, insisted the NDP’s commitment remains feasible. The federal government has pledged to help convert 2,500 homes in Manitoba using home heating oil, which would cover half the homes the NDP initially pledged.

Efficiency Manitoba seeks new mandate that prioritizes reducing electricity demand

7 hours ago

Duration 1:59

Efficiency Manitoba, the Crown corporation that began operating in 2020, is on the verge of receiving a new mandate from the provincial government that will expand its scope beyond reducing energy consumption to also focusing on demand.

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