sask power


SaskPower is exploring generation options to help meet electrical needs in Saskatchewan, and Swift Current is one of four sites being considered for a new project.

"One of the technologies that we're considering is natural gas generated facilities, and SaskPower has added a few of those over the last four or five years," said Bernie Bolen, Supervisor of Environmental Issues Management for the Crown Utility. "One of the options that our supply development group is considering at this time would be what they call a base load natural gas generator."

SaskPower hosted an Open House in Swift Current last week to explore the potential and gather information from landowners and present technical details of the potential project.

"People were pretty receptive, it seemed, to the idea of having some electrical supply actually in the vicinity," Bolen added. "The benefits it has are related to reliability and capacity of the system in an area, so I think people look at it as being really connected to economic development and being helpful in that regard in an area."

Bolen adds they will review the information gathered from the open house, as well as from the other locations, and determine one or more sites that would work for a gas turbine.

He estimated that the turbine will be needed around 2016 or 2017.