Agrium is planning an expansion of its potash mine near Vanscoy, but the existing 72 kilovolt (kV) electrical service is at maximum capacity and cannot supply the required load. SaskPower has proposed to build a 138 kV transmission line between an existing transmission line southwest of Saskatoon and the Agrium facilities to supply the additional power.
Project benefits
- Converting Agrium to 138 kV will reduce transmission line losses on the SaskPower system.
- Reducing line loss will result in a reduction in CO2 emissions, as less electrical generation will be required to serve the same load.
- Improving the quality of the electrical service by reducing voltage flicker and improving the voltage profile on the existing 72 kV transmission line supplying the Perdue substation.
Route option development and selection
Five route options were considered for this transmission line project. In developing these options, SaskPower worked to:
- Minimize agricultural impacts
- Minimize environmental impacts
- Minimize social and other impacts (such as land use)
- Minimize economic impacts (construction cost, maintenance, operation and impacts to landowners, communities and other stakeholders)
- Construct on favourable topography and foundation conditions
Landowners and members of the public were encouraged to attend the open house and to provide their comments and suggestions on the proposed transmission line project to SaskPower. The issues raised at the open house were added to the input SaskPower received through meetings with municipal officials, correspondence, phone calls, etc. These issues, along with the other factors listed on the previous page, were then taken into consideration before making the decision to proceed with the route 5 option.
Structure design
Two pole H-frame (single and double circuit) structures will be used in this project. These structures will be constructed with tubular steel. As this is a 138 kV transmission line, a minimum of 7.4 metres (24.3 feet) clearance between the conductors and farmland is provided. A minimum clearance of 8.1 metres (26.6 feet) is provided over highways and municipal roads, and a minimum of 8.7 metres (28.5 feet) over railways.
The right-of-way width for the single circuit H-frame structure is 30 metres (98 feet) while the right-of-way width for the double circuit H-frame structure is 35 metres (115 feet).
Environmental approvals
A construction plan was submitted to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment in August 2010 under the Environmental Assessment Act. SaskPower's goal is to minimize project impacts on the physical, biological and human environment of Saskatchewan. Consultations were held with municipal officials, landowners and members of the general public beginning in March 2009.
Project schedule
- January – February 2009: alternative route selection
- March – July 2009: public consultation (including open house)
- July 2009: preferred route selection
- August 2009: individual landowner consultation
- August 2010: submit construction plan
- September – October 2011: engineering design
- October – December 2011: acquire easements
- November 2011 – March 2012: construction
- March 31, 2012: line energized.
