Rural Power Upgrade Program

SaskPower is preparing to launch the Rural Power Upgrade (RPU) program in the coming years. It’s a long-term investment to modernize power infrastructure that supports rural communities, farms, and businesses. As we plan this work, we want to hear from the people who know rural Saskatchewan best.

Why We Need to Upgrade?

Much of Saskatchewan’s rural power system was built in the 1950s to serve nearly twice as many farms as exists today. It wasn’t designed for modern equipment and growing operations, or power demands of the future.

Over the next 15 years, we must replace a significant portion of the rural power system, including approximately:

• 75% of the rural distribution system.
• 50,000 kilometres of underground cable installed between 1985 and 1995.
• 25,000 kilometres of overhead line originally built in the 1950s and 60s.
• 200,000 wooden power poles approaching end of life.

This scale of renewal gives us an opportunity to rebuild the system for today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth.

What the Program Will Do

The Rural Power Upgrade Program will:

• Improve reliability by replacing aging overhead and underground distribution of power lines.
• Increase access to 3-phase power for growing, high-demand operations.
• Enhance safety by moving overhead lines into road allowances.
• Strengthen the grid for future growth, technology adoption, and modern equipment.

We Want Your Feedback

Local insight is essential. We welcome your questions and invite you to take five minutes to answer four short questions that will help guide how we plan and deliver this work in rural Saskatchewan.