GRID WATCH

Canada's Utility News Roundup

Nuclear Milestones, Rate Decisions, and 600 MW of Indigenous Wind

Canada's utilities delivered a week of landmark decisions, from nuclear completions to contested rate hearings and record-breaking Indigenous clean energy procurement.

Robert Ingram Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

National Headlines

Manitoba Hydro Issues First RFP Under Indigenous Wind Call for Power

Manitoba Hydro has issued the first Request for Proposals under its Indigenous Wind Call for Power program, seeking a new wind project to supply up to 200 megawatts through a power purchase agreement. The RFP forms part of a broader program to procure up to 600 megawatts of wind energy from Indigenous majority-owned projects. The call closes this summer and follows a strong response to the Request for Qualified Suppliers issued in October 2025.

Canada Energy Regulator Releases Canada's Energy Future 2026 Outlook

The Canada Energy Regulator published its flagship Canada's Energy Future 2026 report on March 17, projecting energy supply and demand to 2050. The report identifies rising electricity demand and rapid renewable growth as key forces reshaping Canada's energy system domestically, while also highlighting the role of natural gas and oil in expanding Canada's global market presence. The report presents four long-term scenarios under varying policy and market conditions.

Prime Minister Carney Announces $35 Billion Plan to Transform Canada's North

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $35-billion plan in Yellowknife on March 12 to strengthen Canada's Arctic defence, energy, and infrastructure. The investment includes funding for the Mackenzie Valley Highway and modernised northern infrastructure, with direct implications for northern utilities including NTPC, Qulliq Energy, and Yukon Energy. The announcement signals significant federal commitment to energy access and sovereignty infrastructure in Canada's most energy-insecure regions.

Regional Roundup

N.B. Power Committing $88.4 Million to Fix Lepreau Nuclear Problems

N.B. Power is investing $88.4 million over three years to address unresolved technical issues at the Point Lepreau Generating Station, the utility's sole nuclear plant and primary base-load source, according to CBC News. The funding covers outside contractors and engineering specialists to address ongoing reliability concerns. Point Lepreau has experienced extended outages and operational challenges since its major refurbishment concluded in 2012.

ATCO Devalues Wind and Solar Portfolio by $408 Million, Cites Alberta Policy Uncertainty

ATCO Ltd.'s power subsidiary, Canadian Utilities, has written down $408 million in wind and solar assets in Alberta, attributing the devaluation to provincial government policies it says have made renewable investment uneconomical. The company cited the Smith government's electricity market review and its approach to the renewables sector as directly undermining the financial viability of its clean energy assets, according to CBC News.

Policy & Pricing

Hydro-Quebec 3% Rate Increase Approved for April 1

Quebec's Regie de l'energie has approved a 3% electricity rate increase for residential customers, effective April 1, according to La Presse. Commercial and industrial customers will see a slightly lower increase of 3.6%, reduced from a proposed 4.8%. The regulator's ruling falls below Hydro-Quebec's original request and reflects ongoing pressure on the utility to balance infrastructure investment costs against customer affordability.

N.B. Power Pitches 'Net-Zero' Rate While Fossil Fuel Generation Hits 16-Year High

N.B. Power is marketing a premium "net-zero" electricity product to customers while its greenhouse gas emissions have reached a 16-year high, CBC News reports. Information filed with the Energy and Utilities Board shows the utility burned nearly four million barrels of oil in the past year, the highest since 2010. Critics are questioning the credibility of a net-zero offering as the utility's thermal generation climbs to record levels.

Innovation & Transition

OPG Reports 2025 Results: Darlington Refurbishment Complete Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget

Ontario Power Generation reported its 2025 financial results on March 12, highlighting that the $12.8-billion Darlington Nuclear Generating Station refurbishment was completed ahead of schedule and under budget — a major milestone for Canadian nuclear energy. OPG also reported progress on its Darlington small modular reactor project, new nuclear development at Wesleyville, and hydro refurbishments. The utility cited record clean electricity production across its portfolio.

Maritime Electric Flags 112-MW Supply Gap as PEI Regulators Eye Performance-Based Model

Prince Edward Island's Maritime Electric has disclosed a "112-megawatt problem" — a projected supply gap the utility says threatens grid reliability as provincial electricity demand grows. The disclosure came at a legislative committee hearing where MLAs called for performance-based profits to incentivise the utility to invest in grid solutions. Maritime Electric currently relies heavily on imported power from New Brunswick via submarine cable to meet peak demand.

Worth Noting

N.B. Power defends 50% rate increase over six years at public EUB hearing. Read More

Quebec businesses face 3.6% electricity rate hike this April, lower than residential customers. Read More

Sask. NDP warns provincial power plan could double electricity rates for consumers. Read More