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February 28, 2012
SaskPower has signed an agreement with Windlectric Inc. (a subsidiary of Algonquin Power &
Utilities Corp (Algonquin)) to build an approximately 177-megawatt (MW) wind power facility near
Chaplin, Saskatchewan.
Algonquin’s project was selected from 26 proposals from 15 different suppliers who answered
SaskPower’s call for major wind projects through its Green Options Plan in 2009. An external
fairness consultant observed and reported on the selection process.
“Through the Green Options Plan and the Green Options Partners Program, SaskPower is more than
doubling the province’s available wind power capacity,” said Rob Norris, Minister responsible for
SaskPower. “Projects like this will help SaskPower continue to be a leader in the production of clean,
renewable electricity while meeting the province’s growing power needs.”
As part of the agreement, SaskPower has signed a 25-year contract to purchase wind power
generated at the facility once it’s complete.
“When the Algonquin project at Chaplin is brought into service, wind power will make up about 8.5
per cent of SaskPower’s total generating capacity – among the highest percentages in the country,”
said Robert Watson, President and Chief Executive Officer, SaskPower. “Renewable generation
options, like wind, play a key role in our plans to meet the province’s increased need for electricity in
a sustainable manner.”
Approximately 77 turbines will be constructed by Algonquin at the Chaplin site, providing enough
electricity to power about 70,000 homes. Algonquin will now move forward with securing the
environmental approvals necessary to proceed to the construction phase. Construction of the project
is expected to begin in 2016, with a planned in-service date of the end of that year.
In addition to the agreement with Algonquin, SaskPower has selected another 55 MW of wind power
under its Green Options Partners Program. SaskPower is currently working on the purchase
agreements for these projects.
For more information about SaskPower’s plans, visit saskpower.com/future.
