SaskPower has awarded its next utility-scale wind facility to Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Canada and Awasis Nehiyawewini Energy Development, a wholly owned Cowessess First Nation entity.

Set to be constructed north of Moose Mountain Provincial Park in the RM of Hazelwood, the RM of Kingsley and on Cowessess First Nation reserve land, the Bekevar Wind Energy Project will supply 200 megawatts (MW) of zero-emissions power, enough to serve up to 100,000 homes.

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 is a priority for SaskPower,” said Mike Marsh, SaskPower President and CEO. “Incorporating wind power through projects such as Bekevar is a crucial component of our strategy to make significant reductions to emissions while ensuring SaskPower can supply reliable, sustainable, and affordable power to our customers.”

SaskPower selected RES and Awasis Nehiyawewini Energy Development’s project as part of an open competition. Evaluation of the proposals included best-value criteria such as, energy price, environmental site characteristics, Indigenous participation and community engagement plans. Electricity generated at Bekevar will be purchased by SaskPower at an industry leading rate over the 25-year term of the agreement and sets a new low benchmark price for renewable energy in Saskatchewan.

Construction on the project will begin in the summer of 2022, and the facility is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.

Saskatchewan currently has six wind facilities producing a total of 241 MW to the provincial grid. In addition to Bekevar, three wind projects are currently under construction totaling 385 MW: Riverhurst Wind Project (10 MW), Blue Hill near Herbert (175 MW), and Golden South near Assiniboia (200 MW).

For more information, please visit saskpower.com/projects.

At a glance...

• SaskPower has awarded a 200-megawatt project to RES Canada and Cowessess First Nation
• The Bekevar Wind Energy Project will be located southeast of Kipling
• SaskPower will add 585 MW of wind energy to the grid by the end of 2023
• More information can be found at saskpower.com/projects