Federal Funds Power Indigenous-Led Renewable Energy in Saskatchewan

A significant investment into renewable power by the federal government intends to modernize energy for many remote communities in Saskatchewan while having less environmental impacts.

In December, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources announced an investment of over $265 million into SaskPower and Saskatchewan clean electricity projects.

“As someone with deep Saskatchewan roots, I know that these investments in Saskatchewan’s electricity grid will create jobs and ensure the province remains a destination of choice for investors looking to expand their operations,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Several First Nations are receiving investments through the federal governments Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs).

The investments include several First Nation solar power projects: $2.7 million each for the Cosette solar project and NM solar project, both owned in part by White Bear First Nation; $1.8 million each for the Kiyam solar project and Iskotew, both owned in part by Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation;  and $1.3 million for the La Plonge solar project with English River First Nation.

“This project reflects our values of respecting the land and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come,” said Jonathan Pasap, Chief of White Bear First Nation.

“We believe that investing in renewable energy is vital for both our community’s health and the health of our planet,” he said.

According to the federal government, once these solar projects are complete, they will provide electricity equivalent to powering 200,000 homes every year. The project is expected to lower energy bills for these communities.

The federal government is also investing $20 million to help retrofit Northern First Nations’ homes and help new buildings achieve higher cost-saving energy efficiency performance standards.

Clean Energy Canada forecasts that there will be over 130,000 clean energy jobs added in Saskatchewan over the next 25 years.

“The revenue received from this program was instrumental to make the (solar project) a reality. In order to have a positive impact on the development corporation of Misty Ventures, it is these two projects that give us the opportunity to benefit for 20 years in partnership with SaskPower and the Power Purchase Agreement,” said Robert Daniels, President and CEO of Misty Ventures, the economic development branch of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak.

However, the provincial government was critical of the investment, saying the federal government has been responsible for the higher costs of power.

“The Future Electricity Fund is simply the return of carbon tax dollars collected from SaskPower customers by the Liberal/NDP federal government that is requires under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act,” Jeremy Harrison, Crown Investment Corporation Minister told Eagle Feather News.

“The federal government has needlessly increased the cost of power for Saskatchewan people and we continue to call on the federal government to eliminate the carbon tax and return the $483 million of Saskatchewan carbon tax dollars they continue to hold in the Future Electricity Fund,” he said.

The Future Electricity Fund is comprise of proceeds collected form electricity generating facilities.