SaskPower Encourages response for green power

- The response to SaskPower's initial call for 15 megawatts (MW) of environmentally preferred electrical power generation has exceeded expectations.

A total of 52 projects from 32 proponents have met the qualification criteria in this first year of the program, representing 169.9 MW of electrical generation. The breakdown of submissions includes:

Biomass/Biogas 42.2 MW

Flare gas 15 MW

Heat recovery 49.2 MW

Low-impact hydro 1.6 MW

Solar 3.2 MW

Wind 58.7 MW

"The response to this program has been remarkable and everyone involved is excited about seeing which projects are finally selected," Minister responsible for SaskPower Frank Quennell said.

"The environmentally preferred power program is a cornerstone of the government's Green Power Portfolio, which includes the expansion of the Cypress Wind Power Facility, a new 150 megawatt wind power partnership with ATCO Power, and community energy efficiency pilot projects."

Work is on-going toward issuing the formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for the first year of this proposed three-year initiative. In September 2003, numerous proponents responded to SaskPower's call for Expressions of Interest for projects.

Proponents who met basic eligibility and environmental criteria are currently being consulted on a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) document. This consultation will ensure the final RFP is as user-friendly as possible.

Based on input from the consultations, SaskPower plans to issue the RFP to eligible proponents in early 2004. An announcement of the first-year projects is expected by late spring 2004, with successful projects coming into service during 2005. Solicitations for additional environmentally preferred electrical power generation are proposed to continue annually until 2005, resulting in up to 45 MW of new generation.

"The response has been encouraging and the technologies exciting," Vice President Planning, Environment and Regulatory Affairs Rick Patrick said. "Proceeding with the environmentally preferred power program will make a considerable contribution towards meeting Saskatchewan's projected load-growth energy needs until 2010, without any new greenhouse gas emissions."

To learn more about the Environmentally Preferred Power solicitation, visit saskpower.com.