Solar Power Proponents Push SaskPower to Embrace Solar Potential

October 19, 2017

Solar producers say the future is bright in the land of living skies, if only Saskatchewan’s government-owned electrical utility would take greater advantage of the opportunity.

“We would love to expand,” says Bill Walton, president of 2B Green Solar Power. “We thought we were going to be able to. We had meetings with SaskPower last spring and nothing has happened.”

The sun shined on Walton as he stood in front of the largest solar farm in the province: 1,600 solar panels that he and his associates have set up outside of the town of Craik.

“It’s just an excellent area to do solar in,” Walton said. “Endless, endless sunny days.”

Together the solar panels here can generate 400 kilowatts of power, but Walton said that is just a fraction of what is possible, if SaskPower would take more electricity.

SaskPower’s Small Power Producers Program allows applicants to generate up to 100 kilowatts of electricity to offset what they would otherwise purchase from the Crown utility or to sell to SaskPower.

The government’s power company has pledged to get half its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, but it stopped taking applications from small power producers last month after it hit a self-imposed cap of 7.5 MW generated through the program over all.

Brian Ketcheson, vice-president of distribution and customer services with SaskPower, said the program has been put on pause while the company reviews it.

He said in recent years, there has been a growing demand by small power producers to participate in power generation as the cost of inputs goes down and the cost of electricity goes up.

“Customers wanting to participate is certainly going to be a bigger and bigger portion of the generation that we have on our system, so we need the programs that kind of match up that demand,” Ketcheson said.

He said the key for the SaskPower is balancing the interest from those who want to sell power back to the company, with those of customers who want safe, reliable electricity at a reasonable cost.

Ketcheson said SaskPower expects to unveil its new rules for small power producers early in the new year.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Luxxbox Launches Quick Ship Program to Accelerate Project Timelines

    Luxxbox Launches Quick Ship Program to Accelerate Project Timelines

    July 16, 2025 Luxxbox announces the launch of its new Quick Ship Program, designed to provide architects, designers, and project managers in the United States and Canada with expedited access to a curated selection of their most in-demand acoustic lighting products. With a two-week turnaround from order to dispatch, the program ensures that project timelines… Read More…

  • ECS Earns Platinum Status for 8th Consecutive Year in Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program

    ECS Earns Platinum Status for 8th Consecutive Year in Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program

    July 16, 2025 Electrical Cable Supply (ECS), Canada’s largest independently owned wire and cable distributors, is proud to announce its re-certification with the prestigious Platinum designation in Deloitte’s Canada’s Best Managed Companies program for the eighth consecutive year. This announcement recognizes ECS’s sustained excellence in strategy, innovation, culture, and strong financial performance. The Canada’s Best… Read More…

  • Nexans Canada Partners with Skills Compétences Canada to Sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026

    Nexans Canada Partners with Skills Compétences Canada to Sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026

    July 16, 2025 Nexans has announced its partnership with Skills Compétences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies. As part of the partnership, Nexans will sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026 as they prepare to compete at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, taking place in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27, 2026. “At Nexans,… Read More…

  • OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    July 14, 2025 With renewed funding by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, the OEL Apprentice Success Project is now available for another year until March 2026. The project is part of OEL’s Employer Engagement Program (EEP) consisting of wage, training, and equipment subsidies for apprentices. These funding opportunities are available to OEL Members and non-Members. For… Read More…