Steinbach Electricity Retailers and Natural Gas Providers
Homeowners and businesses in Steinbach receive all their electricity from a sole regulated supplier, Manitoba Hydro. Due to Manitoba’s regulation of the energy market, residents of Steinbach are unable to purchase their electricity from a supplier other than Manitoba Hydro.
But, for those seeking ways to lower their natural gas bills, there are options. Manitoba does allow residents to purchase natural gas from competitive third-party retailers, potentially allowing you to significantly reduce your energy costs.
Currently, natural gas retailers serving homeowners and businesses in Steinbach include:
The plans offered by these retailers may vary depending on the season and market conditions. Options may include fixed rate, variable rate, and monthly fixed price plans, as well as combinations thereof. To see and compare the plans currently available in your area of Steinbach, fill out our comparison form above.
Steinbach Electricity and Natural Gas History
Steinbach was first settled in 1874 by a group of Ukrainian Mennonites. To avoid the risks inherent to the area’s high water table, the Mennonites build their homesteads along Steinbach Creek, to the northeast of what is now Main Street. The settlement grew slowly, with the population reaching a total of only 128 inhabitants by 1882.
Despite the quiet nature and traditional beliefs of Steinbach’s first settlers, the settlement didn’t lag far behind Manitoba’s other communities when it came to modernization. A small power plant was set up at the Steinbach Flour Mills in 1903. At first this only provided lighting for the mill and the homes of its owners, but soon electric street lighting was installed, and some nearby businesses were electrified. However, the power plant was too small to provide power beyond Reimer Avenue. Soon, additional plants were built to expand the reach of electricity.
But there was still a problem. The electricity supplied by the diesel motors powering these plants was simply unaffordable for most. By 1924, electricity still cost 25 cents per kWh. In 1935, Steinbach’s town board finally decided to remedy the issue, asking M. M. Penner, the owner of the Steinbach Lumber Yards, to built a system large enough to meet the entire town’s demand for electricity. In December of 1936, the plant—powered by two diesel engines supply a total of 120 horsepower—was switched on. The Steinbach Light and Power Company, as Penner’s endeavor was dubbed, was able to supply power at 12 cents per kWh, a significant reduction.
In 1938, the Manitoba Power Commission (now Manitoba Hydro) was granted a contact to provide hydroelectric power for some of Steinbach’s street lighting. MPC and Steinbach Light & Power operated simultaneously until 1943, when MPC bought the latter out. This was the tipping point for Steinbach, and the electrification of the city was largely complete within a decade. However, it wasn’t until 1957 that natural gas service was introduced to Steinbach, via the still under construction Trans-Canada Pipeline.
Today, Manitoba Hydro is still the sole supplier of electricity to Steinbach’s residents and businesses, and is the regulated provider of natural gas service.
