(File photo/CKOM News Staff)

By CKOM News

SaskPower strikes deal with two Indigenous solar power projects

Dec 14, 2020 | 12:41 PM

A new First Nations-led solar power generation project will be setting up shop near Regina in the near future.

The First Nations Power Authority (FNPA), a non-profit organization that helps connect industry, government, and Indigenous communities to develop Indigenous-owned power projects, has struck a deal with SaskPower to provide energy from two major solar projects, one in the Regina area and one near Weyburn.

According to a media release, each would generate 10 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable power, enough to power more than 5,000 homes. The revenue generated by these power purchase agreements will go towards the First Nations involved in their construction and operation.

The Regina-area project will be developed, owned and operated by Awasis Solar, a partnership between the Cowessess First Nation and Elemental Energy.

“Cowessess First Nation has been on our renewable energy journey for a decade — we have an existing 1 MW wind, solar and battery facility, and we are currently installing 320 kW of solar on five community buildings back home,” said Cowessess Chief Cadmus Delorme.

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“The development of our small-scale projects has allowed our team to gain expertise in the sector, and we are now ready to embrace our first utility-scale energy project.”

Solar projects are vital to SaskPower as it attempts to fulfil its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030.

“Indigenous procurement is a priority for SaskPower, and we are pleased to be able to build on our already strong relationship with FNPA to finalize these two power purchase agreements,” said Mike Marsh, SaskPower president and CEO. “These projects are a crucial step toward achieving SaskPower’s short-term goal of adding 60 MW of solar generating capacity to the provincial grid.

The second project will be led by Peskstw Solar, a partnership between the George Gordon First Nation, the Star Blanket Cree Nation and Natural Forces. It will be built near Weyburn.

Construction timing for the projects will be determined after further engineering work is completed by Awasis Solar, Peskstw Solar and SaskPower.