WINNIPEG -- Manitoba's Public Utilities Board is being given special authority to look into Manitoba Hydro's debt and capital-spending plans when it considers rate-increase applications later this year.

Finance Minister Cameron Friesen says the provincial cabinet made the move at the board's request after months of growing concern over Hydro's debt and the impact it could have on the province's finances.

Friesen says information the board gleans will help it balance the needs of consumers and the Crown utility, but he won't speculate on whether the PUB will accede to what Hydro wants.

This is the first time the independent PUB tribunal has had the power to require Hydro to table evidence of its financial health and capital situation.

Hydro has warned that two megaprojects -- the Bipole III power line and the Keeyask northern generating station -- could almost double its debt to $25 billion.

Hydro board chairman Sanford Riley has said the company is seeking significant multi-year double-digit rate increases and he has stated in media interviews that Hydro needs -- but has not yet formally requested -- a cash infusion from the province.

"We don't want to see Hydro rates go through the roof," Friesen told reporters on Tuesday. "It's prudent for a government to provide that direction."

NDP finance critic James Allum called the government's move a "smokescreen for Hydro to raise its rates."

"The government's already decided that Hydro rates should be higher," he said. "It certainly looks from our vantage point that everything that can be done to raise the rates is being done."

Allum also said Hydro should be looking for new export customers outside of Manitoba.

Bruce Owen, a Hydro spokesman, said the utility can't comment on what the possible impact of the additional data might be.

"Manitoba Hydro will absolutely comply with any changes to the process that are required by the government," he said.

Darren Christie, the PUB's executive director, said by email that the information will help the public be aware of all the data available.

Hydro has slashed management ranks and has offered buyouts in a bid to eliminate 900 jobs and reduce its workforce by 15 per cent at an expected annual savings of $98 million.

Hydro will take its rate increase application to the PUB next month, but a hearing date has yet to be set.