October 26, 2018 - Regina, Saskatchewa - Natural Resources Canada
Our government is using Canada’s natural resource advantage to enhance our competitiveness and build a low-carbon economy. This includes efforts to modernize our electrical infrastructure as part to build a clean growth economy and create good, middle-class jobs for Canadians.
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today announced $4.75 million in funding for Saskatchewan’s provincially-owned electric utility to modernize its electrical grid, improving service for both urban and rural customers, while reducing pollution.
This project will enable SaskPower to upgrade its electrical grid and realize its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from 2005 levels by 40 per cent by 2030.
To do this, SaskPower will invest in central monitoring of its electrical grid to improve the efficiency of its workforce and increase the distribution of clean electricity in the future.
By using equipment to remotely operate the network from the newly established Provincial Distribution Control Centre, SaskPower will be able to reduce voltage usage, lower system losses, integrate renewable power sources, better assist rural and urban customers, and meet its ambitious GHG targets.
Federal funding for this project is made possible through the Smart Grid Program, which provides investments to utilities to reduce pollution and better utilize existing electricity assets while fostering innovation and creating good and clean jobs for the middle class.
“The modernization of our energy systems is an important component to our efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy. This investment will help improve the efficiency of Saskatchewan’s electrical grid, which will lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improved service for rural and urban customers.”
Amarjeet Sohi
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
“Through this Grid Modernization Plan, SaskPower is developing an advanced, smarter grid that will help reach our goal of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from electrical generation by 40 percent by 2030. This funding will help SaskPower ensure a steady flow of electricity to customers across the province, especially as we add more renewable generation.”
Dustin Duncan
Saskatchewan’s Minister of Environment, Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and Minister responsible for SaskPower
