SaskPower
SaskPower, officially the Saskatchewan Power Corporation, is a provincial Crown corporation established in 1929 that functions as the principal electricity utility in Saskatchewan, Canada, responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution to approximately 538,000 customers.[1][2]
The utility operates a mixed portfolio of power sources, including seven hydroelectric stations, natural gas facilities, wind and emerging solar projects, and coal-fired plants such as Boundary Dam, with recent government directives extending coal operations beyond 2030 for energy security amid expanding demand.[3][4][5]
SaskPower pioneered the world's first commercial post-combustion carbon capture and storage system at Boundary Dam Unit 3 in 2014, capturing over five million tonnes of CO2 to date, though average capture rates have fallen short of the targeted 90 percent.[6][7][8]
In fiscal year 2024-25, the corporation recorded infrastructure investments of $1.5 billion to modernize the grid and sustain reliability, while grappling with operational losses and rate pressures.[9][10]
Notable challenges include an $840,000 fine for workplace fatalities in 2024 and legal actions from environmental advocates contesting fossil fuel extensions as violations of climate commitments.[11][12]
History
Founding and Early Development
The Saskatchewan Power Commission was established on January 18, 1929, through the assent of The Power Commission Act, 1929, which created a provincial body to coordinate and expand electrical power services across Saskatchewan.[13][14] Prior to its formation, electrical supply in the province was fragmented, relying on numerous small-scale municipal systems, private operators, and isolated generating stations that served limited urban and industrial areas, often with inconsistent reliability and high costs.[15] The Commission's mandate under the Act included the authority to manufacture, generate, transmit, distribute, and supply electricity, as well as to acquire existing infrastructure and develop new facilities to achieve economies of scale and broader access.[15] In its initial years from 1929 to the early 1940s, the Commission prioritized consolidation by purchasing select generating plants and extending transmission and distribution networks to interconnect disparate systems.[15] This period involved government support for financing, including provisions to cover up to 50% of interest and sinking fund charges on loans for infrastructure, reflecting the province's recognition of electricity as essential for economic growth amid rural and resource-based development.[16] By the early 1940s, these efforts had begun to standardize service quality and reduce duplication, though coverage remained concentrated in populated regions, setting the stage for post-war expansion. In 1949, the Commission underwent a structural transformation, with its assets transferred effective February 1 to the newly incorporated Saskatchewan Power Corporation under The Power Corporation Act, establishing it as a provincial Crown corporation with enhanced operational autonomy while retaining public ownership.[14][17] This reorganization aimed to streamline governance and adapt to increasing demand, marking the transition from a regulatory commission to a more integrated utility focused on long-term infrastructure investment.[18]Post-War Expansion and Rural Electrification
Following World War II, Saskatchewan's post-war economic recovery and population growth spurred a surge in electricity demand, necessitating significant infrastructure expansion by the Saskatchewan Power Commission. The province's utility, originally established in 1929, underwent restructuring in 1949 with the enactment of The Power Corporation Act, which transformed it into the Saskatchewan Power Corporation and authorized the acquisition of numerous small, independent municipal electrical systems to consolidate and extend service.[19] This reorganization facilitated a coordinated push into underserved areas, including the construction of additional transmission lines and substations to support rising urban and industrial loads.[20] The Rural Electrification Act of 1949 marked a pivotal initiative to deliver power to remote farms, previously reliant on kerosene lamps, wind chargers, or gasoline generators. The program employed three primary models: individual farm connections for those near existing lines; power districts where at least seven neighboring farms pooled resources for shared infrastructure; and rural electrical cooperatives involving around 100 farms that purchased wholesale power and managed their own distribution networks. SaskPower crews, often aided by farmer volunteers and low-interest loans, erected poles and lines across vast prairies, overcoming challenges like sparse settlement and high per-mile costs. By 1950, more than 20,000 farms had been connected to the grid.[19][21] This ambitious effort accelerated between 1949 and 1958, with SaskPower collaborating directly with farmers to construct a province-wide network, electrifying areas that had lagged behind urban centers. Annual power consumption reflected the expansion's impact, rising from 660 million kilowatt-hours in 1957 to nearly 3 billion by 1966 as rural households adopted appliances and irrigation pumps. By 1960, approximately 50,000 farms—virtually all viable operations—received service, completing the core phase within about 12 years and fundamentally enabling mechanized agriculture, extended work hours, and improved living standards without compromising the utility's financial stability through cost-sharing mechanisms.[20][19][19][22]Transition to Diverse Energy Sources
SaskPower's diversification of energy sources accelerated in the early 2000s with the integration of wind power, beginning with the SunBridge Wind Power Project, Saskatchewan's first major wind facility, which became operational in February 2002 and provided 11 megawatts (MW) of capacity through a partnership involving SaskPower.[23] By 2018, wind capacity had grown to 221 MW, representing about 5% of the total generation mix, with SaskPower announcing plans to expand renewables—including hydro at around 20% of supply—to up to 50% of electricity generation by 2030 to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while maintaining system reliability.[24] This included targets for additional wind and emerging solar development, alongside continued hydro utilization from northern Saskatchewan stations. In 2014, SaskPower commissioned the Boundary Dam Unit 3 carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility, the world's first commercial-scale post-combustion CCS system on a coal-fired power plant, capturing up to 90% of CO2 emissions from the 139 MW unit to enable lower-emission coal generation amid growing environmental pressures.[25] Concurrently, natural gas emerged as a bridge fuel for baseload and peaking capacity; notable additions include the 360 MW Great Plains Power Station near Moose Jaw, which entered commercial operation in December 2024 after construction began in March 2021, and expansions at existing sites like Yellowhead, adding a 46 MW turbine slated for service in December 2025.[26] [27] Further gas developments, such as the Aspen Power Station (expected online in 2027), underscore gas's role in providing dispatchable power to complement intermittent renewables.[28] By 2025, SaskPower's energy mix reflected ongoing diversification, with renewables comprising approximately 25% (primarily hydro and wind), coal around 40-50% supported by CCS, and increasing gas contributions, though solar remained minimal at under 1% of generation.[29] [30] Facing federal mandates for coal phase-out by 2030, Saskatchewan opted in June 2025 to extend operations of subcritical coal units into the 2040s and lignite units to 2050 via $900 million in capital refurbishments, citing energy security, affordability, and the need for reliable baseload amid variable renewable integration and growing demand.[31] This approach, outlined in the Saskatchewan First Energy Security Strategy, balances diversification with plans for 2,100 MW of utility-scale solar, additional wind targeting 3,000 MW total by 2035, and small modular nuclear reactors by the 2030s to achieve long-term emissions reductions without compromising grid stability.[32] [33] Legal challenges from environmental groups contesting the extensions highlight tensions between rapid decarbonization and practical reliability considerations.[34]Organizational Structure
Legal Status and Ownership
Saskatchewan Power Corporation, operating as SaskPower, is a statutory Crown corporation established under the Power Corporation Act (Saskatchewan, R.S.S. 1978, c. P-19).[35] The Act continues the corporation as a legal entity comprising members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, granting it the capacity to contract, acquire property, and exercise powers as an agent of the Crown.[36] This framework positions SaskPower as an instrument of provincial policy, with its operations aligned to public interest objectives rather than private profit maximization.[37] Ownership resides exclusively with the Government of Saskatchewan, which holds it as a provincially owned entity without any private shareholders.[37] Oversight falls under the Crown Investments Corporation (CIC), the provincial holding company for commercial Crown entities, ensuring alignment with government directives while maintaining operational autonomy in day-to-day management.[38] The corporation's status as a Crown agent immunizes it from certain liabilities typical of private firms but subjects it to legislative accountability, including annual reporting to the Legislative Assembly.[36] SaskPower's monopoly on electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and retail within Saskatchewan stems from statutory exclusivity under section 38 of the Power Corporation Act, prohibiting competing entities from engaging in these activities without its consent.[39] This structure reflects Saskatchewan's historical commitment to centralized public control of essential utilities, dating to its founding as the Saskatchewan Power Commission in 1929, though restructured into its current corporate form.[40] No divestitures or partial privatizations have occurred, preserving full public ownership amid ongoing debates over utility efficiency and fiscal sustainability.[41]Corporate Governance and Leadership
SaskPower operates as a provincial Crown corporation under the oversight of the Crown Investments Corporation (CIC), with its Board of Directors appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and accountable to the Minister Responsible for SaskPower. The Board, comprising 13 external directors, is tasked with setting the corporation's strategic direction, approving the overall strategic plan, operating goals, annual budgets, and business plans, while monitoring performance and collaborating with management to ensure effective governance.[42][43] The Board's operations emphasize independence, with the Chair—currently Rob Nicolay of Estevan—leading meetings, fostering communication between the Board, CEO, government, and stakeholders, and ensuring focus on key priorities. Supporting structures include four standing committees: Audit & Finance for financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management; Governance & Human Resources for board evaluation and HR strategies; Nuclear Energy for overseeing safety and small modular reactor initiatives; and Safety, Environment & Corporate Responsibility for addressing operational safety, environmental compliance, and stakeholder relations. The Corporate Secretary, provided by CIC, advises on governance matters and facilitates links between the Board, shareholder, and management.[42] Current Board members include Vice-Chairperson Bryan Leverick (Saskatoon), Terry Bergan (Saskatoon), Amber Biemans K.C. (Humboldt), John Gormley K.C. (Saskatoon), Cherilyn Nagel (Mossbank), Jeff Hryhoriw (Saskatoon), Jason LeBlanc (Estevan), Fred Matheson (Prince Albert), Collin Pullar (Regina), Rumina Velshi (Toronto, appointed May 7, 2024, with expertise in nuclear safety from her prior role as President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission), and Chief Delbert Wapass (Thunderchild First Nation).[43][44] Leadership is headed by President and Chief Executive Officer Rupen Pandya, who assumed the role on July 1, 2022, following a nationwide search; Pandya reports directly to the Board and oversees strategic planning, operations, and finances, with prior experience as Deputy Minister of Finance for Saskatchewan. The executive team, appointed by the CEO, includes key roles such as Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer Kory Hayko, Executive Vice-President and Chief Strategy, Technology and Financial Officer Troy King, and Executive Vice-President, Customer Experience and Procurement Rhea Brown, among others responsible for generation, transmission, legal services, and corporate relations.[45][46]Subsidiaries and Related Entities
SaskPower maintains wholly owned subsidiaries to handle specialized functions outside its primary electricity generation, transmission, and distribution operations in Saskatchewan. NorthPoint Energy Solutions Inc., formed in 2001 and headquartered in Regina, acts as the corporation's wholesale energy marketing agent, engaging in power trading, asset management, and natural gas contracts to optimize energy supply and revenue.[47][48] SaskPower International Inc. supports international expansion and select domestic initiatives, providing engineering, procurement, construction, and operations services for power generation projects; for instance, in July 2019, it acquired the remaining 50% interest in the Cory cogeneration facility through this subsidiary.[49][48] In September 2024, SaskPower created SaskNuclear as a new subsidiary dedicated to advancing Saskatchewan's small modular reactor initiative, including regulatory approvals, licensing, and project development, with shared leadership and board oversight from the parent corporation.[50][51] These subsidiaries are fully consolidated in SaskPower's financial statements, reflecting their integral role in diversifying operations while aligning with the corporation's mandate under Crown Investments Corporation oversight.[52]Operations and Infrastructure
Power Generation Facilities and Mix
SaskPower maintains a diverse portfolio of power generation facilities totaling 5,930 MW of available capacity as of March 31, 2025, with natural gas-fired plants comprising the largest share at approximately 2,481 MW, followed by coal at 1,389 MW, hydroelectric at 865 MW, and wind at 815 MW, alongside minor contributions from solar, biomass, and waste heat recovery.[53][54] This capacity mix supports baseload reliability through fossil fuels, which historically dominate actual electricity generation—accounting for around 80% from coal and natural gas combined in recent years—while renewables provide variable output influenced by weather and hydrology.[29][3] Coal-fired generation remains a cornerstone for stable output, with three stations: Poplar River Power Station near Coronach (582 MW), Boundary Dam Power Station near Estevan (531 MW total, including a 120 MW unit retrofitted with carbon capture and storage operational since 2014), and Shand Power Station near Estevan (276 MW).[53][5][25] These facilities burn sub-bituminous coal, primarily sourced locally, to deliver dispatchable power essential for peak demand, though Boundary Dam's CCS integration has reduced CO2 emissions from that unit by capturing up to 90% for sequestration.[25] Hydroelectric facilities, totaling 865 MW across eight stations, harness Saskatchewan's northern rivers for renewable baseload and peaking capacity, with major sites including E.B. Campbell (292 MW on the Saskatchewan River), Nipawin (253 MW), Coteau Creek (186 MW), and Island Falls (111 MW).[53] Output fluctuates with seasonal water flows, supplemented by imports from Manitoba Hydro (up to 290 MW under interconnection agreements).[53] Natural gas plants, numbering nine with 2,481 MW combined, provide flexible, quick-start generation using combined-cycle and simple-cycle turbines fueled by pipeline natural gas; key facilities include Chinook (353 MW), Great Plains (370 MW), and Queen Elizabeth (528 MW).[53] These have expanded significantly since the 2010s to replace aging coal units and meet growing demand, offering lower emissions than coal while maintaining grid stability.[5] Wind power, from six SaskPower-owned facilities totaling 815 MW, includes larger installations like Blue Hill (175 MW), Centennial (150 MW), and Golden South Butte (200 MW), with turbines distributed across southern Saskatchewan to capture prairie winds.[53] Generation is intermittent, requiring backup from gas or hydro, and constitutes about 11-14% of capacity but varies in annual output. Smaller solar arrays (30 MW total at sites like Awasis and Highfield) and niche sources like the 8 MW MLTC Bioenergy Centre (biomass) and 20 MW waste heat recovery contribute marginally to the mix.[53] Independent power producers add further capacity, primarily renewables, bringing the system total to 5,930 MW.[37]| Fuel Type | Total Capacity (MW) | Share of SaskPower Facilities (%) | Major Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas | 2,481 | ~42 | Chinook (353), Great Plains (370), Queen Elizabeth (528) |
| Coal | 1,389 | ~23 | Poplar River (582), Boundary Dam (531), Shand (276) |
| Hydro | 865 | ~15 | E.B. Campbell (292), Nipawin (253) |
| Wind | 815 | ~14 | Blue Hill (175), Golden South Butte (200) |
| Other (Solar, Biomass, Waste Heat) | 58 | ~1 | Awasis Solar (10), MLTC Bioenergy (8) |
Transmission and Distribution Systems
SaskPower's transmission system comprises approximately 14,673 circuit kilometers of high-voltage lines operating at 72 kV, 138 kV, and 230 kV, connecting generation facilities to major load centers and substations across Saskatchewan.[52][37] These lines facilitate the bulk transfer of electricity from power stations, including interconnections with neighboring grids in Manitoba and Alberta for import/export capabilities.[55] The system includes 65 high-voltage switching stations that manage voltage regulation, fault protection, and grid stability.[37] Distribution occurs downstream from transmission substations, where voltage is reduced to levels such as 25 kV or lower for delivery to end-users via an extensive network integrated into SaskPower's total of nearly 160,000 circuit kilometers of power lines.[37] This segment serves over 560,000 customer accounts spanning Saskatchewan's 652,000 square kilometers, resulting in one of North America's lowest customer densities at about three accounts per circuit kilometer.[37][56] The infrastructure features 191 distribution substations, emphasizing overhead lines suited to the province's rural and remote terrain, with ongoing modernization efforts to enhance reliability amid sparse population distribution.[37]Customer Service and Rural Coverage
SaskPower serves over 560,000 customer accounts across Saskatchewan's 652,000 square kilometres, encompassing both urban centres and extensive rural regions where agricultural operations and remote communities predominate.[37] The utility maintains a province-wide monopoly on generation, transmission, and distribution, with its network including approximately 1.2 million distribution poles and 145,000 kilometres of circuits to reach dispersed rural customers.[57] This broad coverage supports roughly three customer accounts per circuit kilometre, reflecting the logistical demands of serving low-density rural areas compared to urban concentrations.[58] Customer service is delivered through a combination of digital self-service tools and direct support channels. The MySaskPower online portal enables account management, bill payments, outage reporting, and meter reading submissions, while telephone assistance is available at 1-888-757-6937 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays.[59] Annual customer experience surveys assess performance on key metrics including affordability, reliability, and safety, with SaskPower tying for second place in the online residential satisfaction component in the 2023-24 study.[60] These surveys, conducted across customer segments, underscore ongoing efforts to address expectations in a province where rural demands often involve unique needs like irrigation and farmstead expansions.[61] Rural coverage features tailored services for farms, First Nations, resorts, and non-pre-serviced lots, including permanent and temporary connections for residential, irrigation, and general farm use.[62] Customers can request relocations of farmyard power lines to accommodate operations, subject to application and clearance requirements.[63] Backup generator options, such as metered power boxes with standby switches, are available under farm billing rates to mitigate outage risks in isolated areas.[64] Reliability enhancements include the Rural Rebuild Program, which replaces aging lines—responsible for about 34% of unplanned outages province-wide—to improve service in agricultural zones, as seen in 2021-22 investments of $272 million and ongoing projects like the 10-kilometre replacement south of Midale in 2025.[65][66] Weather-related disruptions remain a persistent challenge, with approximately 13 significant outages affecting 50 or more customers since 2017, often impacting rural circuits due to the province's harsh climate and sparse infrastructure.[67] Recent initiatives address connection costs, with SaskPower and SaskEnergy subsidizing or reducing fees for new rural residential services following rural municipality advocacy in 2025.[68]Economic and Financial Aspects
Revenue, Profitability, and Capital Investments
SaskPower generates the majority of its revenue from electricity sales within Saskatchewan, supplemented by exports to neighboring jurisdictions and other sources such as miscellaneous services. In fiscal year 2024-25 (ending March 31, 2025), total revenue reached $3,254 million, a decrease of $125 million from $3,379 million in 2023-24, primarily due to lower export volumes and prices despite a slight increase in operating revenue from domestic sales to $3,110 million.[37] In the prior year, 2023-24, revenue had risen $312 million from $3,067 million in 2022-23, driven by higher domestic electricity sales and other revenue streams.[60] Profitability has fluctuated amid rising operational costs and infrastructure demands. Net income for 2024-25 was $76 million, down $108 million from $184 million in 2023-24, attributable to elevated fuel and purchased power expenses ($1,240 million versus $1,105 million), increased depreciation ($638 million versus $605 million), and reduced export contributions.[37] This followed a recovery in 2023-24, where net income swung to a $184 million profit from a $172 million loss in 2022-23, aided by revenue growth and moderated fuel costs.[60] These results reflect SaskPower's mandate as a Crown corporation to balance affordability with system reliability, though persistent cost pressures from fuel mix transitions and debt servicing—total debt rose to $10,261 million in 2024-25—have constrained margins.[37] Capital investments have escalated to support generation expansion and grid sustainment. SaskPower expended a record $1,497 million in 2024-25, up $284 million from $1,213 million in 2023-24, with allocations including $420 million for the 370-MW Aspen Power Station (natural gas), $36 million to complete the $825 million Great Plains Power Station, and $130 million for upgrades at Ermine and Yellowhead stations.[37] In 2023-24, spending totaled $1,213 million (net $1,164 million after grants), categorized as $520 million for sustainment and $621 million for growth, compliance, and resiliency initiatives.[60] These outlays, financed partly by $1,021 million in new long-term debt, underscore efforts to modernize amid rising demand and coal phase-out requirements, though they contribute to higher depreciation and financing burdens.[37]| Fiscal Year | Total Revenue ($M) | Net Income ($M) | Capital Expenditures ($M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 3,067 | -172 | 1,065 |
| 2023-24 | 3,379 | 184 | 1,213 |
| 2024-25 | 3,254 | 76 | 1,497 |