A 158-acre site near Swift Current will see the construction of an approximate 350-megawatt combined cycle natural gas plant when the project is complete in late 2019.
"In our province, overall growth continues at a steady pace with SaskPower adding 11,000 customers to the grid last year," said Premier Brad Wall. "The numbers will continue to climb as Saskatchewan grows, so this project will help ensure we’re ready to serve all customers."
"Demand for electricity grew nearly 10% in the last two years and records for peak demand continue to be set," said SaskPower President and CEO Mike Marsh. "A new natural gas plant boosts our supply of reliable power to the southwest corner of the province and provides an economical source of energy to the provincial electrical grid."
"This is a very exciting opportunity for our community," said City of Swift Current Mayor Jerrod Schafer. "Not only will the completed plant create between 20 and 25 new permanent jobs, but we anticipate that the construction phase of this project will demand four to five hundred people. As a community that is growing steadily and looking to continue our progression towards 25,000 residents by 2025, this announcement is very welcome news. We want to thank SaskPower for their confidence in Swift Current."
The gas plant location was chosen based on a number of factors, including proximity to existing transmission infrastructure and natural gas supply, as well as the growing demand for electricity in southwest Saskatchewan. Combined cycle natural gas is a proven technology with a short lead time, relatively low cost compared to other options and is highly efficient, meaning fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Consultation was done with the public, local community leaders and affected landowners.
The next steps in the process are to determine whether the project will be built by SaskPower or by an independent power producer through a competitive procurement process. A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued publically to further evaluate the options and ensure that overall value is maximized for SaskPower and its stakeholders. More information will be available in the next several weeks.
Twelve potential areas were initially evaluated for the gas plant through a public consultation process. The list was narrowed to two options: the successful site near Swift Current, and a second site near Lanigan. The Swift Current area was ultimately selected as the preferred location as it requires fewer infrastructure upgrades, which will significantly reduce the costs associated with the project.
Electricity is a fundamental part of our everyday lives, and SaskPower is committed to providing electricity for this generation, and the next, by investing billions to increase system capacity and upgrade aging infrastructure. Visit saskpower.com to learn more.
