Regina Area Southeast Reinforcement

Between March and May 2025, we met with the Rural Municipalities (RMs) of Francis, Lajord, Chester and other stakeholders to share information and learn their perspectives on this project. We connected by phone and email with over 50 landowners; and met face-to-face with approximately 120 landowners at our site offices throughout the region and SaskPower’s office in Regina. Thanks to all who willingly gave their time and offered sincere perspectives.

What is Being Built

• SaskPower is building three separate transmission power lines:
  • A new 130-kilometre (km) power line running east from the Rowatt Switching Station to the Peebles Switching Station near Kipling.
  • A new 12-km power line running north from Rowatt Switching Station. It’ll join an existing line that connects to the Fleet Street Switching Station in east Regina.
  • A new 24-km power line running west from Rowatt Switching Station. It’ll connect to a transmission line that runs from the Poplar River Power Station near Coronach to the Condie Switching Station north of Regina.
• SaskPower will secure a 40-metre (m) easement for each of the new transmission lines. The 300 m corridor noted on the map is for planning purposes only.
• The new transmission lines will be built to 230-kilovolt (kV) standards. This includes adding shield wires for lightning strike protection, which improves reliability.
• SaskPower will be conducting geotechnical, environmental, and survey studies as part of the project planning process. If access to your land is required for these activities, a SaskPower representative will contact you directly to obtain the necessary permissions.
• The new transmission lines will be constructed using H-frame structures, which are capable of spanning approximately 250 meters.
• The transmission lines from Poplar River to Condie and from Rowatt to Fleet will use double-circuit structures, while the line from Peebles to Rowatt will be built with single-circuit structures.
• Line design is currently underway. Once the design reaches 60 per cent completion, a SaskPower Land Specialist will contact directly impacted landowners to arrange an in-person meeting.
• Distribution lines won’t be strung underneath on the new transmission structures.
• Transmission lines aren’t put underground due to cost and maintenance concerns.

What We Heard

This is a summary of the many conversations we had with stakeholders. This information has been shared with the project team. The team reviews all information and will adjust the preferred route based on SaskPower’s routing criteria. If we’ve missed or misrepresented anything, please reach out to us.

Poplar River to Condie Sectionalization - Specific Comments

• Reduce the amount of agricultural land stranded by structures.
• Most landowners prefer to have the transmission structures lined up with existing structures for ease of farming.
• Maintaining weeds between the new line and the existing line may be challenging.

Rowatt to Fleet - Specific Comments

• Minimize impacts on future developments.
• Place structures away from boundary lines to accommodate farming.
• Reduce the amount of agricultural land stranded by structures.

Peebles To Rowatt - Specific Comments

• Aerial spraying may be an issue.
• Weed control and farming may be an issue if poles can’t be placed closer to boundary lines.
• Can the line go on the north side of the 708 grid?
  • Our response: In the RM of Chester, the transmission line will be installed on the south side of the 708 grid. This alignment was selected due to environmental constraints and challenges associated with spanning water bodies on the north side of the grid.
• Why is there a jog in the line near Lajord?
  • Our response: SaskPower is working with Orica to relocate two of their storage containers. By achieving the required setback, a straight alignment for the transmission line along Township Road 150 can be achieved. This eliminates the need for four additional corner structures, resulting in a more streamlined and efficient design.
• During our initial engagement we heard from most landowners that they preferred structures near boundary lines and road allowances. When it was determined that a 16-metre setback from boundary lines was required, most landowners said they’d prefer having structures placed further in the field to accommodate farming and weed control around structures.
• Both the RM of Francis and local landowners proposed two alternative route options to SaskPower to help reduce impacts on farming operations and residences along Township Road 150.
  • We hosted a one-day site office at the RM of Francis office in early May, inviting impacted landowners to share their feedback on the newly proposed routes. Based on the input received, the preferred route was adjusted. All landowners impacted were part of the initial preferred route corridor.

Common Overall Project Comments

Compensation and land value

• Landowners were interested in what the compensation will be.
  • Our response: This information will be shared with landowners impacted by the preferred route once SaskPower reaches 90 per cent design completion.
  • Compensation will be based on recent land sales in the area, the number of structures located within each quarter section and the impact of those structures on farming operations.
• Landowners are concerned with potential loss of land value.

Reduce impact to residences

• Maintain as much clearance as possible from residences.
  • Our response: As per CSA Standard for 230 kV power lines SaskPower must maintain a minimum of 61 m from an occupied dwelling and 30 m from a barn or shop.
  • Adjustments to the preferred route were made to avoid residences
• Concerns about electric and magnetic fields (EMFs)
  • Our response: The EMFs readings from powerlines are less than common household items such as microwaves and televisions. Learn more.
• Concerns about cell phone usage.
  • Our response: Transmission lines may cause some interference but shouldn’t be a significant cause of issues. There are many factors that can contribute to the quality and strength of a cellular signal, such as changes to SaskTel’s network, environmental and other situational factors.
• Concerns about noise from the lines.
  • Our response: The hum emitted by a transmission line varies depending on weather conditions, voltage, and load. In fair weather, noise is minimal. However, during unfavourable weather, a phenomenon called corona discharge may occur, which can produce audible noise. Wind can also carry sound further. For reference, a field measurement taken under a 230 kV line (P1R) along Highway 6 recorded an average of 58 decibels with peaks up to 66 decibels. These values are comparable to normal conversational levels.

Reduce impact to agricultural operations

• Avoid placing structures near property boundaries unless there is sufficient space to allow farming operations between the structures and the boundary.
• Minimize the number of corner structures, anchors and guy wires.
• Minimize the amount of stranded/unfarmable land.
• Accommodate large equipment.
• Consider current farming practices when routing along road allowances.

Minimize impact to wildlife/environment

• There’s active wildlife in the area.
• Most lands used for recreational purposes were avoided.

Distribution lines

• There’s concern that distribution lines on private land near the new transmission line will impact farming.
  • Our response: SaskPower will assess areas where the proposed transmission line is positioned close to distribution lines and creates challenges for farming operations between the lines. Relocating the distribution line to the road allowance will be considered. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Construction

• Avoid scheduling work at times that would result in crop damages.
• Dust control measures should be considered.

Fibre Optic lines

• Comments about more fibre optic lines being installed
  • Our response: Fibre optic lines will not be required for this project as SaskPower already has sufficient fibre networks in this area.

What’s Next

We’re using the feedback we received from stakeholders, combined with our routing considerations, to determine the centerline for the preferred route for each of the three required power lines. We plan to share the centerline and the structure locations later this year and will reach out again to impacted landowners for additional comments. We’ll also discuss possible accommodations that could be made to address concerns we heard. We’ll continue to try to connect with anyone we haven’t reached. If you know of anyone who has not provided feedback, please encourage them to reach out.

In the meantime, please call toll free 1-833-706-3032 or email if you have any questions or comments.

Between December 2023 and June 2024, we met with the Rural Municipalities of Sherwood, Bratt’s Lake, Edenwold, Lajord, Francis, Montmartre and Glenavon and other stakeholders to share information and learn their perspectives on this project. We connected by phone and email with over 260 landowners; and met face to face with approximately 140 landowners at our site offices and in our office in Regina. Thanks to all who willingly gave their time and offered sincere perspectives.

What We Heard

We’ve summarized what we’ve heard into four sections. All feedback is under review with the project team. We’re adjusting route options based on our routing criteria where applicable. If we’ve missed or misrepresented anything, please reach out to by June 28, 2024.

Poplar River to Condie Sectionalization – specific comments

• Reduce the amount of agricultural land stranded by structures.
• Some landowners prefer to keep the infrastructure together; others feel they’ve been impacted enough.
• There are City of Regina water lines in the area.
• Large sloughs are present in wetter years.

Rowatt to Fleet – specific comments

• There are many acreage properties in the area and should be avoided.
• Maintain as much clearance as possible from residences.
• TransGas projects in the area; many feel this is too much impact for the area.
  • Preference to cross the highway to avoid construction/infrastructure congestion.
• The Wascana Creek tends to flood in the spring.
• There is an airstrip located between NW & SW 23-16-19 W2.

Peebles To Rowatt – specific comments

• Majority of landowners prefer to have structures placed along boundary lines (near roads). There are some who would like to see structures split between quarter sections and shared with adjacent parcels.
• Existing transmission lines already run at an angle through the area, why weren’t the existing lines followed?
  • Our response: SaskPower’s current routing practices are to follow the square to reduce impact and provide better access for maintenance. We have heard in the past to avoid splitting land in half at an angle over long distances.
• Why not follow the highways?
  • Our response: Routing the transmission lines along highways was considered, but due to the deflections and setbacks that would be needed, it was determined to not be a feasible route option for this project.
• Why isn’t there a route that follows the coulee?
  • Our response: Routing along the coulee was not considered due to the added distance and cost when compared to the routes being proposed. Accessibility for future maintenance was also considered.
• There are yard sites that were not included on the maps.
  • Our response: These have been noted to the project team and will be added.
• Large sloughs are present in wetter years.
• There is an airstrip located on SE 26-14-14 W2.

Overall Project Comments

Compensation and land value

• Landowners were interested what the compensation will be.
  • Our response: This information will be shared with landowners impacted by the preferred route, and once SaskPower has reached the 90 per cent design completion. Compensation is dependent on recent land sales in the area and the impact of structures to be installed on a property.
• An Independent Power Producer has secured options from landowners near the Rowatt station, for wind and solar competitions.
• Landowners are concerned with potential loss of land value.

Reduce impact to residences

• Maintain as much clearance as possible from residences.
  • Our response: As per CSA Standard for 230 kV power lines SaskPower must maintain a minimum of 61 m from an occupied dwelling and 30 m from a barn or shop.
• Concerns about EMFs.
  • Our response: The electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) readings from powerlines are less than common household items such as microwaves and televisions https://www.saskpower.com/safety/electrical-safety/homeowner-safety/electric-and-magnetic-fields.
• Concerns about cell phone usage.
  • Transmission lines do not interrupt cellular service.

Reduce impact to agricultural operations

• Avoid placing structures in the middle of fields.
• Minimize the number of corner structures, anchors and guy wires.
• Minimize the amount of stranded/unfarmable land. Accommodate large equipment.
• Consider current farming practices when routing along quarter section lines.

Minimize impact to wildlife/environment

• There is active wildlife in the area.
• Some land is used for recreational purposes.

Distribution lines

• There are many above-ground distribution lines located in the road allowances along the route options. If a route is chosen where the transmission lines would run parallel to an existing distribution line, there’s a minimum distance between the lines for safety reasons.

Construction

• Avoid scheduling work at times that would result in crop damages.
• Dust control measures should be considered.

Fiber optic lines

• Comments about more fibre optic lines being installed.
  • Our response: Fibre optic lines will not be required for this project as SaskPower already has sufficient fibre networks in this area.

Potential future infrastructure

• Landowners were interested and, in some cases, concerned about what additional projects they can expect to see from SaskPower and how they might potentially be impacted.
  • Our response: Our planning approach relies on dynamic external factors. We anticipate needing new generation from now until 2035. The Regina area will continue to be of interest. We’ll look to share more information about our planning approach.

What’s Next

We’re applying feedback received to our routing considerations, to help determine recommended routes for the three power lines. We expect to have recommended routes ready after harvest and will reach out again for additional comments and possible ways to address concerns.

It’s not too late to share additional thoughts with us. Please call toll free 1-833-706-3032 or email if you have further questions or comments.

Other SaskPower Plans in the Rowatt Area

We’ve started looking at the Rowatt area, along with Belle Plaine and Swift Current, for one or more natural gas power station sites. We are seeking feedback on what we should consider as we look at possible sites. Check out saskpower.com/PotentialGasSite for more info. Or visit our site office to review our siting approach for the area.

Royal Hotel, 4025 Albert Street, Regina
June 18: Noon – 5:00 p.m.
June 19: 10:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.