REGINA — A new 100-megawatt solar facility will be constructed southeast of Regina near Lajord.
Known as the Mino Giizis Solar Energy Facility, the site will be one of the province’s largest solar facilities.
“The 100 megawatts of power will power up to 32,000 homes,” said SaskPower president and CEO Rupen Pandya at an announcement on Wednesday.
Pandya explained that the announcement is part of the energy companies' commitment to 700 megawatts of renewable energy by 2027.
He also explained the project helps ensure Saskatchewan can meet its net-zero goals by 2050.
For the facility, SaskPower entered into a power purchase agreement with Mino Giizis Solar Ltd. Fifty percent of the facility will be owned and operated by the Anishinabek Power Alliance Ltd.
Included in the alliance are the Cote First Nation, the Key First Nation, Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, and Zagime Anishnabek.
The four First Nation groups released a statement on the announcement.
"The Mino Giizis solar project through the Anishinabek Power Alliance shows what genuine partnership looks like: shared power, shared responsibility, and shared benefit. Our nations see this is a way to move into the future without harming the land, while creating much-needed revenue and employment opportunities for our people. Rooted in the spirit of Treaty and our responsibility to future generations, this historic moment is taking our nations to another level in Treaty 4 Territory.”
Meanwhile, the other 50 per cent will be owned and operated by Neoen Holding Canada Inc.
Ryan Dick, Neoen's province director for Alberta and Saskatchewan called the southern portion of the province an ideal spot for the facility.
“SaskPower targeted south-central Saskatchewan where they wanted the procurement to take place, and so that's where we began our perfection in order to site the project.”
Development for the facility had been in the works for roughly wo to three years.
Construction is set to begin soon, and the facility is expected to open in 2028.
Dick said 350 people will be employed during the construction phase, and ownership is aiming to have 75 per cent of work hours for Indigenous people.
Speaking on half of the ownership being Indigenous, Dick said it’s great to see First Nation shareholders become part of the energy sector.
“We welcome those partnerships, and we believe it really gives us a social license to do good things in Canada and invest billions more.”
SaskPower wouldn’t reveal the fixed cost for kilowatts per hour.
However, Dick said this is a low-generation cost opportunity for SaskPower.
“Price was compelling, the price is affordable, so we're excited about it.”
