Manitoba Hydro and MHBA Energize New Homes Faster

May 26, 2025

Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association (MHBA) have worked together to speed up energy hook-ups for new home construction, helping member builders address the needs of their customers while reducing hurdles in the previous energy connection process.

A new agreement between the two parties is now seeing Manitoba Hydro energize new homes within five days of passing final electrical and gas inspections.

The changes are part of the province’s energy policy as outlined in the Affordable Energy Plan, to help Manitoba meet housing needs faster and keep rates affordable by helping to grow Manitoba’s economy.

“These changes significantly speed up the completion of new-built homes,” said Allan Danroth, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro. “We’re pleased to be part of this successful collaboration with MHBA, to the benefit of all Manitobans.” 

Lanny McInnes, President of the MHBA said the changes are something the home builders are excited about. “Ensuring new homes are energized as quickly as possible reduces construction delays and improves predictability for both home builders and their customers,” said McInnes. 

Other changes in the works include Manitoba Hydro and the MHBA implementing enhanced early servicing of new home sites. This involves Manitoba Hydro installing the basic electric and natural gas infrastructure much earlier in the construction process, so it is ready to energize more quickly once inspections are passed. These changes will initially be rolled out in Winnipeg, Selkirk and Steinbach only.

Communication is key, and an additional change will see Manitoba Hydro inspectors and advisors, and MHBA members, having access to a new online portal to schedule service installations, ensure building sites are ready to receive service, and check the status of service requests and inspections. 

The utility has been working with the MHBA over the past number of months to make these improvements. This included running a small “test and learn” process with select MHBA members to identify areas for improvement and develop new processes for closing process and communication gaps.

“We always want to ensure we are working in the best interests of all our customers, including home builders and their clients,” said Danroth. “We’ve gotten a lot done in a short time, and even more improvements are underway, which will further help the industry.”

“Our members appreciate the commitment Manitoba Hydro has made to speeding up energy hook-ups for new home construction,” McInnes added. “And we are committed to working together to meet these commitments.”

For more information, please contact:

Lanny McInnes
President & CEO, Manitoba Home Builders’ Association
204-925-2564
lmcinnes@homebuilders.mb.ca

Scott Powell
Director, Corporate Communications, Manitoba Hydro
204-299-8849
spowell@hydro.mb.ca

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Schneider Electric Canada Inaugurates a New Production Line in Brossard, Quebec

    Schneider Electric Canada Inaugurates a New Production Line in Brossard, Quebec

    Schneider Electric Canada announces the expansion of its facility in Brossard, Quebec. This strategic development includes the addition of a new production line dedicated to the local manufacturing of Schneider Electric’s advanced electrical equipment… Read More…

  • ABB Acquires Bel Products Inc. to Expand Enclosures Portfolio in North America

    ABB Acquires Bel Products Inc. to Expand Enclosures Portfolio in North America

    June 3, 2025 ABB Electrification Canada Inc. announced it has completed its acquisition of Bel Products Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of commercial, industrial and custom-made enclosures. This acquisition enhances ABB’s market presence in Canada and the U.S., expanding its product portfolio and enabling the company to leverage its manufacturing, warehousing and supply chain capabilities to better meet growing customer demand. The financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed. The enclosures market is experiencing strong growth, fueled… Read More…

  • WAGO Now Available at Vanco Electrical Solutions

    WAGO Now Available at Vanco Electrical Solutions

    June 2 2025 Vanco Electrical Solutions are excited to announce that Vanco Electrical Solutions has partnered with WAGO, making their full line of innovative spring‑pressure connection and automation products available online at vancoelectrical.com. From their groundbreaking Push‑in CAGE CLAMP® technology to flexible I/O systems, WAGO has built a reputation for reliability and ease of use across… Read More…

  • Sonepar Announces the Appointment of Rob Thibeault to President of Robertson Electric

    Sonepar Announces the Appointment of Rob Thibeault to President of Robertson Electric

    June 2, 2025 Sonepar is pleased to announce the promotion of Rob Thibeault to President Robertson Electric effective June 2, 2025. Rob joined Robertson in 2017, bringing with him extensive experience in retail and marketing. Rob’s skill and dedication quickly saw him taking on additional responsibilities in operations, pricing, and analytics. Demonstrating a keen understanding… Read More…