The Request for Proposal (RFP)  stage has been reached for Saskatchewan's first 10 megawatt (MW) utility-scale solar project.

SaskPower's competitive process is moving forward, as 34 proponents have qualified for the RFP stage.

As part of the RFP stage, each of the 34 participants will have two site-selection options to choose from in their request to take on the solar project. SaskPower has enabled proponents to either select a site put forward by SaskPower, or propose their own location.

For the province's first utility-scale solar project, SaskPower has considered a location in southern Saskatchewan.

The window to submit RFPs closes September 29th, at which point SaskPower will undergo the task of reviewing all 34 proposals in a manner they state is "equal through an open, fair and transparent process".

SaskPower expects the project to be up and running in late 2018, and says it is the next step in their plan to add 60 MW of solar power to the province’s power grid.

As well, with Saskatchewan currently sitting at a capacity of 25% renewable energy, the completion of this 10 MW project would be a boost to SaskPower's goal of 50% by 2030.