First utility-scale solar power project in Sask. now online
The first of four planned ten megawatt solar power facilities in Saskatchewan is now generating power for the grid southeast of Swift Current.
After a construction process that weathered both a Saskatchewan winter and COVID-19 related supply chain issues, Saskatoon-based MiEnergy and its president and CEO Kevin Bergeron welcomed the subtle whirring sound the 30,000-odd panels at the Highfield Solar Facility on the otherwise quiet southwestern landscape.
“Now that the facility is up and running on a nice sunny day like this, hearing that hum is a good reward,” Bergeron said. “As a company, we continue to build the largest solar projects in Saskatchewan. This is probably the tenth time we’ve built the largest and it keeps getting larger and larger. We definitely hope to continue on that trend.”
The Highfield array is owned and operated by Saturn Power, making it the company’s first facility in western Canada. It generates enough power for up to 2,500 homes annually.
“You have some of the best sunshine in Canada here in southern Saskatchewan, so it’s the perfect place for solar and there should be a lot more of it,” said Saturn Power co-founder, president and CEO Doug Wagner.
SaskPower then buys the power generated for the grid under a 20 year purchase agreement, instead of building a facility the crown corporation directly owns.
“One of the things about partnering with industry is they bring experiences that SaskPower doesn’t have. we are operators of the power system, operators of the grid,” said Kory Hayko, vice president of SaskPower. “We partner with folks who know and have the knowledge and the expertise and the experience to bring a project like this online.”
Highfield is close to SaskPower’s Centennial Wind Power Facility, the weather conditions at Friday’s ribbon cutting serving as an example as to why the two facilities were built close together.
“Today with the wind not blowing, the sun is shining, diversity creates risk reduction for us. Our customers expect reliable power. So we want to make sure we can continue to deliver that to them every single day and this is part of that solution,” Hayko said.
Highfield is the province’s first utility-scale solar project and went online in September 2021 with three others in different phases of construction.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.