(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock/CKOM News

UPGRADES

P.A., Spiritwood, and Hudson Bay to receive upgraded from SaskPower

May 11, 2023 | 5:25 PM

Some upgrades in north central and northeast Saskatchewan are among several projects SaskPower is undertaking, as it released its plan for the new fiscal year.

According to SaskPower, the Crown utility company intends to spend $1.15 billion in the upcoming fiscal year “to modernize, grow and sustain the provincial electrical system” and continue the transition away from fossil fuels. This year’s capital investment is $98 million more than was spent in 2022-23.

Rupen Pandya, SaskPower’s CEO, said it’s essential to have the right infrastructure in place as the province and world continue to transition away from carbon-based power generation.

“Decarbonizing a growing power grid is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, and making the right investments now will help to position SaskPower to provide reliable, sustainable and cost-effective electricity to customers in the years and decades to come,” Pandya said in a statement.

The plans for the money include $514 million earmarked for maintenance and upgrades of existing power transmission, distribution and generation infrastructure and $505 million in “growth projects.”

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

14h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

19h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

Some of those projects include transmission line upgrades for the substations in Spiritwood and Hudson Bay, along with rural powerline rebuilds and wood pole replacements.

“Our mandate is to provide reliable power to our customers in a cost-effective way. Our investments this year will do everything,” said SaskPower spokesperson, Joel Cherry. “They’re everything from replacing wood poles to building new power stations.”

Cherry also mention that work will resume on replacing underground cables in Prince Albert Riverview neighbourhood.

Don Morgan, minister responsible for SaskPower, said the provincial government is committed to building a clean energy future while ensuring power remains affordable and reliable.

“This year’s capital budget is a demonstration of SaskPower’s commitment to the people of Saskatchewan, by making significant investments to transition to low-carbon energy sources, upgrading aging infrastructure and modernizing systems,” Morgan said in a statement.

—