Saskatchewan unveils long-term energy plan with focus on nuclear

The Government of Saskatchewan has published its energy future plan with a focus on nuclear while also retrofitting coal-fired plants.

The province has unveiled its strategy to power Saskatchewan in the future.

The Saskatchewan First Energy Security Strategy and Supply Plan, released Monday, focuses on what the government calls “utilizing Saskatchewan resources.”

It outlines the province’s approach to power generation and transmission, and its goal of building a power system that includes nuclear energy.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to a nuclear future utilizing our amazing Saskatchewan uranium resource to power our province,” minister responsible for SaskPower Jeremy Harrison said in a news release.

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The strategy commits to continued development of small modular reactors and says large-scale reactors are also being considered.

It also mentions plans to extend the operation of coal-fired power plants during the transition to nuclear energy.

In 2016, the federal government passed regulations requiring all coal-fired plants to close after 50 years of operation, or by 2030.

Harrison said Saskatchewan plans to rebuild coal plants to run until 2050, with work already underway on Boundary Dam Unit 4.

“Ending coal-fired generation by 2030 would risk the reliability and affordability of the provincial electrical system,” the strategy states.

It notes natural gas is Saskatchewan’s largest power source, but the province imports more than 80 per cent of the fuel and rising North American demand and higher turbine costs could put additional pressure on supply.

“Saskatchewan cannot rely on a single fuel source, especially one the province does not control as the dominant source for electricity generation,” it states.

According to the strategy, renewables and other low-emitting sources make up about 35 per cent of Saskatchewan’s generating capacity, but it notes that sources such as wind and solar can be less reliable, require large areas of land, and have shorter lifespans.

It states SaskPower aims to reduce emissions toward a carbon-neutral electricity sector by 2050.

The NDP criticized the government’s approach, saying refurbishing coal plants could cost nearly $1 billion with no timeline or proof the work can be done cost-effectively.

The opposition said it will release its “Grid and Growth Plan” later this year, focusing on natural gas, renewables and nuclear energy.