SaskPower seeks green power

- SaskPower is looking for proposals to generate up to 45 megawatts (MW) of electricity from environmentally friendly sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, waste heat and flare gas, over the next three years.

"We're taking an important step toward meeting Saskatchewan's projected load-growth energy needs until 2010 -- without creating any new greenhouse gas emissions -- through the environmentally preferred power program," said Frank Quennell, minister responsible for SaskPower.

In September 2003, SaskPower first called for 'expressions of interest' from independent power producers for 'environmentally preferred' electrical power generation projects between 25 kilowatts and five MW in size. From those expressions of interest, SaskPower selected 52 projects proposed by 32 organizations for more detailed study. SaskPower has since issued a request for proposal (RFP) for up to 15 megawatts (MW) of environmentally preferred power generation.

The 32 organizations receiving the RFP have until May 28 to submit their extensive proposal plans. SaskPower expects to announce its selection of the first set of environmentally preferred power projects by this summer and they are expected to be in service in 2005.

"We're contemplating (proceeding with) three projects or more. Our target date is the end of the year,'' said Brian Mohr, project manager for the environmentally preferred power program.

Mohr said the proponents will have to submit a more detailed plan, which SaskPower will use to make its final selections in July. "We need to firm up the specifics and size of the project. We also need firm pricing to pick and choose between proposals.''

Cost will be a factor in the selection process, but Mohr said SaskPower wants to see a wide range of projects using different technology. "We're concerned about managing our costs, but we're trying to get a broad range of technologies.''

Following the first phase of the program, SaskPower will issue a second call for 'expressions of interest' in fall 2004 and begin the RFP process in 2005. Calls for additional projects will continue annually until 2005, ultimately resulting in up to 45 MW of environmentally preferred electrical generation.

"If it's 2005 or later, we're comfortable with that,'' Mohr said. "We're trying to be as flexible as possible.''

The environmentally preferred power program is part of the government's 'green power' portfolio, which includes the recent expansion of the Cypress Wind Power Facility, a joint venture between SaskPower International and ATCO Power to construct 150 megawatts of wind power in the province, and community energy efficiency pilot projects.