Manitoba Announces Renewable Energy Jobs Fund

April 30th, 2012 by Adam Johnston

Manitoba is set to create a New Energy Jobs Fund, to compliment Manitoba’s clean cheap energy from Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger said in a press release recently.

“Manitoba is a leader in renewable energy, with major investments in hydro, wind, geothermal heating and bio-energy,” Selinger said.

The C$30 million fund will be used to promote renewable energy businesses across Manitoba, Selinger said. The fund will support companies that create manufacturing equipment for hydro dams. The program also intends to help with the further expansion of made-in-Manitoba equipment used for wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, along with smart grid technologies and other renewable energy enterprises, Selinger said.

The new loan program gives companies within the province of Manitoba another tool besides various tax credits, training, and grant programs for manufacturers to further Manitoba’s upward renewable energy potential, Selinger said.

The news of the new fund will be a boon to companies that look to create further renewable energy business within the Keystone province.

“CG Power Systems Canada Inc. (CG) is encouraged by the establishment of the Energy Jobs Fund and Energy Opportunities office, especially at a time when CG is planning to increase its market presence in North America,” said Ian Harrison, vice-president of sales and development for Canada and the northern United States for CG Power Systems Canada Incorporated.

The New Energy Jobs Fund act will go through the Manitoba legislature during the session. The legislation will offer the administrative framework that will allow for an Energy Opportunities office to be created that will allow businesses access to the new fund, Selinger said in the press release.

The New Energy Jobs Fund announcement is the second major renewable energy announcement within the province of Manitoba this year, besides the Manitoba Biomass Energy Support Program (MBESP) announced in January.

Photo Source: 50by30.org

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Tags: Canada, Canada clean energy, canada renewable energy, Greg Selinger, Manitoba, manitoba clean energy, Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba renewable energy

About the Author

Adam Johnston Is currently studying at the School of the Environment Professional Development program in Renewable Energy from the University of Toronto. Adam graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a three-year B.A. combined major in Economics and Rhetoric, Writing & Communications. Adam also writes for Solar Love and also owns his own part time tax preparation business. His eventual goal is to be a cleantech policy analyst, and is currently sharpening his skills as a renewable energy writer. You can follow him on Twitter @adamjohnstonwpg or at www.adammjohnston.wordpress.com.