SaskPower has initiated the next steps in its upcoming 10 megawatt (MW) utility-scale solar project. The Crown corporation has reached a request for proposal (RFP) phase, in the competitive process for the project.
鈥淭his is the first time Saskatchewan has seen a competitive process for a solar project of this scale. This is the first Canadian utility-scale solar project outside of Ontario,鈥� said Gordon Wyant, the minister responsible for SaskPower. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the next phase in providing the additional power our province needs to continue to grow, while maintaining a reliable and diverse mix of supply options.鈥�
The project is a contribution to SaskPower鈥檚 larger long-term plan to double the percentage of renewable power generation capacity in the province, from 25 per cent today, to as much as 50 per cent by 2030.聽
SaskPower issued a request for qualification (RFQ) to identify independent power producers it could work with. Thirty-four proponents have been identified and have qualified under the RFQ. They will be moving forward into the RFP phase of the process.
The project is expected to be in service by the end of 2018, and the location of the site for the project is still pending. Participants in the RFP process will choose between selecting a suggestion for a site put forward by SaskPower or proposing another location.
SaskPower has been evaluating potential locations for a site in southern Saskatchewan. This process entails numerous considerations, including environmental impact, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and any local communities.
More information on the location of the project will be available once the RFP process and proposal evaluations are completed.聽
鈥淭his is the next step in SaskPower鈥檚 plan to add 60 MW of solar power to the province鈥檚 power grid,鈥� said Mike Marsh, CEO and president of of SaskPower. 鈥淭o meet this goal, SaskPower will also be looking at community-based projects and a partnership with First Nations Power Authority for utility-scale projects.鈥�
Participants have until Sept. 29 to submit their proposal. A review will take place, and all proposals will be evaluated through an open, fair and transparent process.聽
