Chasing the Wind: The Rise, Stall, and Return of Wind Power in Manitoba

By James Wilt, Policy Development Manager
July 2026

This report explores the historical development of wind power in Manitoba from the early 2000s to the present to provide greater context for Manitoba Hydro’s current wind power procurement. It identifies that the Manitoba government once had far greater ambitions for wind power, with many Indigenous Nations, rural communities, and renewable energy companies supportive of developing the province’s wind resource. However, Manitoba Hydro has long dismissed and delayed wind power deployment, stalling project development for nearly 15 years. The report recommends
that the Manitoba government increase its ambitions for wind power development and provide Manitoba Hydro with a clear legislative directive to prioritize wind power alongside energy storage to meet capacity needs.

Key Points 

• Manitoba is procuring up to 600 megawatts (MW) of installed wind power capacity after a 15-year hiatus, but the end of power purchase agreements with existing wind farms will result in a net increase of only 340 MW.
• Manitoba previously had far greater ambitions for wind power than it does now, having committed to building 1 gigawatt (GW) of installed capacity by 2018.
• Wind power developers once showed strong interest in Manitoba, with a 2007 request for proposals resulting in more than 80 wind farm proposals.
• Manitoba Hydro has long dismissed and delayed wind power development, providing unclear directives and low prices to proponents.
• Hydroelectric reservoirs and wind power are an excellent pairing, but currently Manitoba largely exports the firming capacity of its “water battery” to the United States.
• Indigenous Nations and rural communities have often called for more wind power, which would provide reliable income streams for decades.

Recommendations to the Manitoba Government

• Significantly increase ambitions for wind power, looking to jurisdictions such as Québec, Alberta, North Dakota, and Minnesota for inspiration.
• Provide Manitoba Hydro with a clear legislative directive to prioritize wind power alongside hydro reservoir management, battery energy storage, and grid interties.
• Require Manitoba Hydro to conduct an external assessment of the firming and shaping costs of wind power and of how it can harness wind power to increase the system-wide capacity factor.
• Direct Manitoba Hydro to emulate Hydro-Québec’s ambitious approach to wind, including building wind power directly in partnership with Indigenous Nations and organizations, rather than contracting out development to private companies.
• Work to promote wind power as an important economic opportunity for rural communities.