Drought forces Manitoba Hydro to import power

WINNIPEG -- Manitoba, well-known for its abundance of cheap hydro power, has been begun importing electricity for the first time in more than a decade.

The problem is an ongoing drought.

Officials at Manitoba Hydro say it underscores the severity of the lack of precipitation in some areas that has led to low water levels.

It's also a reflection of the utility's growing focus on exports.

The last time Manitoba Hydro was a net importer of energy was the fiscal year ending March 31st, 1989.

However, over the last six months, the utility has found itself having to buy about 900-thousand megawatts more power than it has sold.

That's enough to light a city about a third the size of Chicago.

Manitoba Hydro spokesman Glenn Schneider says flow levels through Manitoba Hydro's generating stations are at their lowest levels since 1988, which is the worst drought on record for the utility.

As a result, Schneider said current production is down about 40 per cent.

BN