SaskPower to hold info sessions on future of energy

SaskPower is holding a series of public information sessions to bring customers up to speed on the energy options currently being used in Saskatchewan and the ones being evaluated for use further down the line.

A media release said the series will include information on nuclear power, the work being done by SaskPower’s small modular reactor project team, the integration of large-scale renewable power sources, “and a closer look at other future generation options.”

The “Power Talks” sessions will be held over Zoom on Thursday, next Tuesday, next Wednesday, and May 10. The Crown power company said the sessions will feature SaskPower experts, industry leaders, and voices from other jurisdictions who can share their own experiences with a variety of supply options.

Tim Eckel, SaskPower’s vice-president of energy transition and asset management, said customers want to know more about the future of energy in the province, and the company has made it a priority to keep them informed.

“We are committed to having a dialogue with our customers, sharing information, answering questions, hearing concerns and understanding priorities as we design our future supply plan,” Eckel said in a statement.

Saskatchewan’s work towards nuclear power took another big step earlier this month, as the provincial government formalized an agreement with New Brunswick to work together on the development of small modular reactor technology. Those reactors typically produce enough power to supply about 300,000 homes.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan-based Cameco has signed a multi-billion-dollar agreement to become Ukraine’s sole supplier of uranium, which means production has been increased from 15 million pounds per year up to 18 million pounds.

In September, SaskPower CEO Rupen Pandya said a final decision on nuclear power in the province isn’t expected to come until 2029, and if the decision is made to proceed, the first reactor won’t be online for some years after that.

More information on the talks and registration options can be found on SaskPower’s website.