TransCanada Corporation (TCC) requires a 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line to its Piapot site and a 138 kV transmission line to provide service to its Grassy Creek site.
Transmission line projects take time to plan and build; even though TCC's pipeline project is facing delays in the United States, SaskPower is doing its due diligence by selecting an appropriate route for these proposed lines now, and securing the necessary environmental approvals for these routes so that we are prepared to proceed should TCC's project be approved.
Project need
New overhead transmission lines will originate at the Swift Current Switching Station, using double circuit structures, and then the two lines will branch off from each other to end at the Piapot and Grassy Creek sites.
Route options and selection criteria
When examining possible route options, we take steps to minimize agricultural, environmental, social and other impacts. We also do our best to minimize economic impacts (such as construction cost, maintenance, operation and impacts to landowners, communities and other stakeholders) and plan to construct in an area with favourable topography and foundation conditions while complying with safety and other regulations.
After consulting with affected landowners, elected officials and the general public in the spring of 2011, we have selected a preferred route for these transmission lines.
Structure design
Two-pole H-frame (single- and double-circuit) structures will be used in this project. The pole structures will be constructed with tubular steel.
Heavy- and medium-angled deflection structures, and terminal deadend guyed structures will also be used for this project.
Environmental approvals
The proposed transmission line will require a project proposal submission to the Ministry of Environment under The Environmental Assessment Act. Our goal is to reduce project impacts on the physical, biological and socioeconomic environment of Saskatchewan.
We comply with all municipal, provincial and federal regulatory requirements and adhere to all provincial guidelines related to transmission lines.
Every effort will be made to mitigate or avoid impacting endangered and threatened species and habitats, as well as sensitive landscape features by making use of existing rights-of-way and previously used land areas.
Landowners and members of the public are encouraged to provide their comments and suggestions on the proposed transmission line project. These comments are added to the input we receive through meetings, correspondence and phone calls. They are all taken into consideration before making a final decision on the project.
Project schedule
- December 2010 to February 2011: Alternative route selection
- March to November 2011: Public consultation
- May to October 2011: Environmental field studies
- November 2011: Preferred route selection
- August 2011 to February 2012: Prepare submission for Ministry of Environment (MoE)
- January 2012: Second round of public consultation
- March to October 2012: MoE review
- February to July 2012: Engineering design
- May to October 2012: Archaeological and further detailed environmental studies on preferred route
- October 2012 to January 2013: Acquire easements
- August 2013 to March 2014: Construction
- April 2014: Line is energized
