PROFILES IN ACHIEVEMENT
The Company:
SaskPower is the principal supplier of electricity in Saskatchewan, serving more than 528,000 customers and managing $11 billion in assets. The company operates three coal-fired power stations, seven hydroelectric stations, six natural gas stations and two wind facilities, and manages purchase agreements with several private sector suppliers.
The Achievement:
Two years ago, SaskPower announced it would reduce emissions by 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, which will involve doubling the percentage of renewable electricity from 25 per cent of overall capacity to as much as 50 per cent.
Since that time, SaskPower has passed numerous landmarks. In 2017 alone, the company:
• Launched the competitive process for Saskatchewan’s first 10 megawatt (MW) utility-scale solar project.
• Launched the competitive process to buy up to 200 MW of wind generation, with the successful proponent expected to be named in fall 2018.
• Started construction on the Chinook Power Station in January 2017, to add 350 MW of natural gas generation, which will provide a lower emission power generation foundation to support future integration of intermittent renewable generation sources like wind and solar.
• Signed a power purchase agreement with DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp. in May 2017 that will allow further research into the potential for Saskatchewan’s first geothermal power project.
• Added another flare gas power generation project bringing the total to two, which provide a combined 1.75 MW of electricity to Saskatchewan’s power grid.
• Saw significant growth in its customer self-generation programs..
The Team:
SaskPower’s renewable energy initiatives rely on the contributions of teams drawn from the over 400 Professional Engineers employed at the Crown corporation.