SaskPower announced recently they will add 60 megawatts of ground mount solar photovoltaic generation for the provincial electrical grid by 2021. This will provide enough electricity to power between 10,000 and 12,000 homes.聽
The plan includes a combination of competitive procurement, a partnership with First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) and community projects.聽
鈥淭he development of cleaner energy options is essential to power Saskatchewan鈥檚 future,鈥� said Gordon Wyant, the minister responsible for SaskPower. 鈥淭hese solar projects will help the province reach our goal of delivering 50 per cent of power through renewable sources by 2030.鈥澛�
SaskPower sought out qualified vendors for the first of two, 10 MW projects. The competitive procurement process will begin in December of this year. The company expects the first 10 MW solar project to be in service by 2018, which will be one of the first utility-scale solar projects in Canada.聽
鈥淥ur phased approach will allow us to add solar in a way that balances our priorities of maintaining a sustainable and diverse generation mix with the delivery of reliable, cost-effective power to our customers,鈥� said SaskPower president and CEO Mike Marsh. 鈥淭he first 10 MW project will allow us to better understand how the technology works within Saskatchewan鈥檚 power grid, similar to what we did with wind.鈥澛�
As well, SaskPower is negotiating with FNPA for two more 10 MW solar projects that will benefit Saskatchewan First Nations. Community projects will make up the remaining 20 MW. Consultation for community solar development is already underway.聽
