The future of Saskatchewan's power supply needs to be reliable, affordable and sustainable. SaskPower has a power plan to make this a reality.
Misconception: Wind power can save the planet
Wind power cannot be effectively stored for future use. This means that when the wind does not blow, the wind turbines do not produce electricity. This limitation means that while wind power is definitely attractive, it cannot reliably meet the day-to-day power requirements of the province.
Fact: We're big into wind
Wind is a great source of intermittent and peak-load power; it accounts for about five per cent of our generating capacity. In 2011, we added another 25 megawatts (MW) of wind power with the completion of the Red Lily Wind Power Facility near Moosomin. SaskPower has selected another 55 megawatts (MW) of wind power projects through our Green Options Partners program; and, we've recently 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. When this project is brought into service (expected in 2016), wind power will make up about 8.5 per cent of our total generating capacity—which will be among the highest percentages in Canada.
Fact: We work with customers to reduce their demand for electricity
Saskatchewan demands more and more electricity every year. SaskPower has a sustainable plan to meet these needs. Increasing our power supply and reinforcing and expanding the power lines and poles needed to deliver power to our customers is a part of this plan. We also develop and deliver programs to reduce the amount of electricity they use, which has the added benefit of reducing their power bill as well.
The programs that reduce the demand for electricity is called Demand Side Management. SaskPower has Demand-Side Management programs designed for industrial, business and residential customers. We have set a goal to reduce our customers' electricity demand by 100 MW by 2017. By reducing demand, we lessen the strain on existing power stations and we delay the capital costs of building more power stations. Both of these things allow us to keep power costs reasonable and also provide opportunities for all customers to use less electricity.
Residential customers interested in reducing their demand for electricity can find out more in our Save Power section.
Misconception: Solar power is ready for large-scale generation
Solar power is currently too expensive to generate on a large-scale basis. At this time, solar power is best suited for small-scale remote operations that are not currently connected to the SaskPower grid. Small-scale solar operations reduce the environmental impact of having to run transmission lines to remote locations. Our Net Metering Program encourages small-scale solar power production along with other environmentally preferred technologies.
We've also set up a solar power demonstration at the Saskatchewan Science Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan; and we continue to monitor development of solar power technology all over the world.
Fact: We are technology neutral
Our goal is to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable power, regardless of how it is generated or procured. We are examining partnerships with neighbouring utilities, and we continue to examine renewable and non-renewable fuel sources, as well as emissions-reduction technology.
