Potential Natural Gas Power Station Sites

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We’re studying potential sites for 1 or more additional natural gas power stations to support future power needs in the province. We’ll be looking at areas near Swift Current, Belle Plaine and Rowatt south of Regina.

Your input is important as we search for the best sites for potential new natural gas power stations. Getting involved early means your thoughts can be considered before decisions are made.

We’re seeking feedback from Rightsholders, landowners and stakeholders in these areas. We want to know what things we should consider as we study potential sites, and also how we can lessen potential impacts.

Why Natural Gas?

  • We’re committed to achieving a net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions power system by 2050 or sooner. Natural gas produces less than half of the GHG emissions of traditional coal and it supports the addition of more renewable energy like solar and wind power to the grid.
  • To meet federal government regulations, we need to retire over 1,400 megawatts (MW) of conventional coal generation by 2030. Natural gas is the only supply option we have currently available to build at the scale we need for our energy transition and future growth.
  • Natural gas provides reliable power and an ideal back-up to wind and solar. It can be designed to quickly start or ramp up as needed when less wind or solar power is available.

We Want Your Feedback — Use Our Map Tool

During this project, we’re working with First Nations and Métis communities, local municipalities and landowners to collect feedback. We’ll use this feedback to assess the suitability of each potential site.

Using our map tool, drop a pin on the map and let us know your feedback and insights on the potential power station areas and things that are important for us to consider.

You can also provide more detailed feedback in the feedback form below.

We’re studying potential sites for 1 or more additional natural gas power stations to support future power needs in the province. We’ll be looking at areas near Swift Current, Belle Plaine and Rowatt south of Regina.

Your input is important as we search for the best sites for potential new natural gas power stations. Getting involved early means your thoughts can be considered before decisions are made.

We’re seeking feedback from Rightsholders, landowners and stakeholders in these areas. We want to know what things we should consider as we study potential sites, and also how we can lessen potential impacts.

Why Natural Gas?

  • We’re committed to achieving a net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions power system by 2050 or sooner. Natural gas produces less than half of the GHG emissions of traditional coal and it supports the addition of more renewable energy like solar and wind power to the grid.
  • To meet federal government regulations, we need to retire over 1,400 megawatts (MW) of conventional coal generation by 2030. Natural gas is the only supply option we have currently available to build at the scale we need for our energy transition and future growth.
  • Natural gas provides reliable power and an ideal back-up to wind and solar. It can be designed to quickly start or ramp up as needed when less wind or solar power is available.

We Want Your Feedback — Use Our Map Tool

During this project, we’re working with First Nations and Métis communities, local municipalities and landowners to collect feedback. We’ll use this feedback to assess the suitability of each potential site.

Using our map tool, drop a pin on the map and let us know your feedback and insights on the potential power station areas and things that are important for us to consider.

You can also provide more detailed feedback in the feedback form below.

  • Feedback Summary - Sept. 2024

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    This is a summary of the conversations we had with stakeholders so far. This information has been shared with the project team. The project team is reviewing feedback and will adjust the siting criteria, where applicable. If we’ve missed or misrepresented anything, please reach out to us. Bolded text (sub-bullets) reflects our response based on information that was available.


    Rowatt Area-Specific Comments

    • Avoid occupying prime farmland; go to Belle Plaine where industrial development is present.
    • Concerns with further land fragmentation due to various developments impacting the area. Examples include the Regina Bypass, SaskPower and SaskEnergy projects, and renewable energy proposals.


    Belle Plaine-Specific Comments

    • Why hasn’t SaskPower looked north of Highway #1?
      • Sites on the north side of Highway #1 were explored in previous siting expeditions. They were deemed unsuitable for future development due to active mining zones and ground conditions.
    • There is an ongoing drainage project in the area between Highway #1 and Highway #39.
    • Concerns with safety along Highway #1. The area is already busy with industrial traffic and safety is a concern at all crossings.
    • A private company (Whitecap) has approached landowners about carbon capture and storage.
    • New industrial developments, such as Eaglesledge Energy, are expected north of Highway #1.
    • Industrial customers have expressed interest in building generation projects that will support the SaskPower grid in this area.


    Swift Current-Specific Comments

    • Some noise concerns from landowners surrounding the Chinook Power Station.
      • Some construction stages have unavoidable noisy activities – pile driving and steam blows. The noise will be intermittent. The highest noise recorded when we built the Chinook Power Station was 85 dB. As a reference, a vacuum cleaner is around 70 dB in use. We’ll do our best to let nearby landowners know about pile driving and steam blows in advance.
      • During operation, SaskPower monitors noise output and strives to reduce noise levels.
    • Theft increased in the area during the construction of the Chinook Power Station.
    • Concerns with yellow emissions coming out of the stacks of the Chinook Power Station.
      • Chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides or other byproducts of combustion may cause flue gas from the facility to be visible. We always strive to operate generation facilities efficiently to reduce emissions. SaskPower also reports its emissions annually to the provincial and federal governments.


    General Project Comments

    Communication

    • Landowners appreciated having project information and engagement opportunities early in the siting process.
    • Large industrial customers want to actively explore opportunities to build power generation projects that align with SaskPower’s plans. They see potential alignment between their medium-term growth plans and SaskPower’s generation needs in that same timeframe.


    Potential Future Infrastructure

    • Concerns with more infrastructure in areas that have existing transmission and distribution infrastructure.
    • Concerns about using natural gas when there are viable renewable energy alternatives.
    • Inquiries about underground transmission to lessen the impact on landowners.
      • Underground power lines have several drawbacks preventing them from being a feasible option. They are significantly more expensive and difficult to maintain due to reduced accessibility.


    Compensation and Land Value

    • Landowners have concerns about the potential loss of land value.
      • SaskPower has not seen any negative impacts on property values resulting from our facilities.
    • Private companies have secured land options from some landowners for potential wind or solar projects.


    Reduce impact on residences

    • Build as far from residences as possible.
    • Maintain adequate road conditions and access during and after construction to existing residences.


    Reduce impact on agricultural operations

    • Transmission infrastructure impacts agriculture operations. This includes reduced clearances for farm equipment and having to navigate between poles.


    Impact on the environment

    • Concerns about weed reduction program around current transmission infrastructure.
      • SaskPower currently has a weed control program. Landowners can get paid a nominal fee per structure each year to handle weeds themselves. They may also arrange for SaskPower to spray weeds once a year. This program applies only to structures on cultivated land.


    Construction

    • Concern over traffic congestion in the area during the construction phases.
    • Use dust control measures for the affected roads and construction sites. This will lessen the impact on nearby residences.


    What's Next

    We’re using this feedback to help inform our siting considerations. We use these considerations to recommend sites for new natural gas power generation. We’ll share the recommended sites in early 2025. There’ll be opportunities for landowners to provide their feedback as the project advances. We’ll also discuss potential accommodations to address the concerns we’ve heard. We’ll continue to try to connect with anyone we haven’t reached. If you know of anyone who hasn’t provided feedback, please encourage them to reach out. We’re also studying other areas in the province for potential natural gas power generation sites. We’ll share more information about those areas in the future.

    You may call toll-free 1-833-500-5001 or email PublicEngagement@saskpower.com if you have any further questions or comments.

Page last updated: 24 Sep 2024, 09:28 AM