REGINA — SaskPower’s application to build and operate two international power lines (IPLs) as part of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) project has been approved by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) to proceed.
Once complete, the IPL will increase shared power line capacity from 150 megawatts (MW) to 650 MW. According to SaskPower, the project will strengthen the power grid, improve emergency support, allow us to import power and, in the future, to export excess electricity to generate revenue.
“Transmission infrastructure is crucial to energy security and powering the economic growth in our province,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister Responsible for SaskPower.
The proposed lines will link the Tableland Switching Station, 15 kilometres southwest of Estevan, to the Saskatchewan-North Dakota border. SaskPower will construct two six-kilometre lines in Canada, while Basin Electric will build the 180-kilometre line in the United States.
“Increasing the interconnection between SaskPower and the SPP will enhance the resilience and flexibility of both our electricity grids, allowing for more efficient balancing of supply and demand across regions,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower president and chief executive officer.
The CER decision confirms that the regulator is satisfied with engagement and Rightsholder consultation conducted since 2023 and acknowledges that planning, design and operation of the project has appropriately considered environmental and other impacts. Basin Electric received its Presidential Permit to proceed with construction on the U.S. side in May 2026.
The project will proceed with construction of the line later this year, with a plan to come online in 2027.
