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Saskatchewan’s second utility-scale solar project is now online.
The 10-megawatt (MW) Pesâkâstêw Solar facility, located in the rural municipality of Weyburn, joined SaskPower’s provincial grid Tuesday. It can provide power to approximately 2,500 Saskatchewan homes.
The first utility-scale solar project, the Highfield Solar Facility near Swift Current, started operating last October.
The new facility means there are 70 MW of solar power connected to the grid, with two other 10 MW projects in the Regina area also under construction.
“Our goal is to reduce SaskPower’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050,” SaskPower president and CEO Rupen Pandya said in a release.
“Pesâkâstêw is contributing to our GHG reduction efforts, while providing revenue opportunities for First Nations communities. These partnerships will continue to be valuable as we add more wind and solar to our generation mix.”
Pesâkâstêw Solar Limited Partnership, which owns and operates the facility, is a partnership between George Gordon Development Ltd. (the economic development arm of George Gordon First Nation), Red Dog Holdings Ltd. (the economic development corporation of the Star Blanket Cree Nation) and Natural Forces (a private independent power producer).
That group will sell the power generated at the facility to SaskPower as part of a 20-year purchasing agreement.
“It’s George Gordon Developments’ vision to be a leader in First Nation business development as a partner while working to improve the quality of life for our First Nation members,” Glen Pratt, CEO of George Gordon Development Ltd., said in the release.
“With the Pesâkâstêw Solar Project, we are delighted to have been able to lead our nation by improving life sustainability by providing renewable power; the ability to create opportunities to educate and employ our First Nation members; engaging in reconciliation by building lasting relationships with large corporations, federal and provincial government bodies; and lastly, creating unity within our community by working in partnership with a neighbouring Nation, Star Blanket First Nation.”
