In Canada, nearly 20% of our electricity is produced by coal. According to Natural Resources Canada, our country has over eight billion tonnes of proven coal reserves - storing more energy than our oil, natural gas and oil sands combined. In the world, it's estimated that by 2020, this abundant, secure and affordable fossil fuel will provide 40% of the planet's electricity. However, along with producing energy, burning coal results in the release of harmful emissions.

At SaskPower we are committed to the ongoing quest to help minimize the environmental footprint of power production. As a result we're engineering a world-leading way to clean-up the coal-fired generations of electricity and further reduce emissions.

In the past few decades, significant gains have been made in controlling particulate matter, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and mercury. However, carbon dioxide (CO2) remains a significant challenge for electrical utilities around the globe.

Current forecasts indicate that SaskPower requires approximately 300 megawatts (MW) of new base load generating capacity beginning in 2010. Presently, over 60% of Saskatchewan's electricity is generated through coal. This fossil fuel provides a favourable base load supply option because coal is a low cost, secure and abundant long-term fuel source.

In order to mitigate the environmental downside of coal combustion, SaskPower's Clean Coal™ Project is examining potential technologies capable of capturing at least 90 per cent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The additional use of SO2, NOX, mercury and particulate control and capture mechanisms will bring the resulting emissions of coal-fired electricity to near-zero.

Saskatchewan's 300-year supply of mineable lignite coal remains the most cost-efficient and secure fuel for the base load generation of electricity.

Coal mining in Saskatchewan dates back to 1857. The lignite coal produced in Saskatchewan is a lower quality coal with relatively low heating value. However, these coals are also low in sulphur. The province's primary actively-mined deposit is the Ravenscrag Formation, an extension of lignite-bearing beds distributed in North and South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

Map of coal power stations in southern Saskatchewan.

In Saskatchewan, the surface-mineable deposits are located in three coal basins: Estevan, Willow Bunch/Wood Mountain and Shaunavon. Approximately 90% of coal produced is consumed in the province, almost all by mine-mouth electricity generating plants. Approximately 10% is exported to Ontario and Manitoba, principally for the generation of electricity.

The World Coal Institute reports that 38% of global electricity is generated by coal. In China, Australia, Poland and South Africa, coal provides more than 75% of electricity. Meanwhile, India uses coal for over 60% of generation; the USA and Germany use coal for more than 50% of generation.