100 MW Mino Giizis facility will be operational by 2028
The Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) and First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) today announced the winning bid in their joint competitive request for proposals for a 100 MW solar energy project. The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) welcomes the news and is pleased that its member company Neoen will develop the new solar farm located approximately 100 km east of Moose Jaw and co-own it with a partnership of four First Nations.
“Saskatchewan is showing what can be achieved when utilities and Indigenous leadership work together to build our renewable energy future. This solar procurement partnership between SaskPower and First Nations Power Authority demonstrates economic reconciliation in action, to deliver long-term benefits for communities, ratepayers and the electricity system,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA’s President and CEO.
The Anishinabek Power Alliance (APA) will have a 50 per cent equity ownership stake in Mino Giizis. The APA is made up of four of the Treaty 4 Nations in south-central Saskatchewan: Zagime Anishinabek Nation, Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation, Cote First Nation and The Key First Nation, with political participation from the Yorkton Tribal Council. Mino Giizis means “good sun” in the Ojibwe language.
Neoen has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with SaskPower to supply enough clean electricity to the province’s grid to power approximately 30,000 homes every year, supporting the utility’s commitment to achieve a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions power system by 2050. And thanks to the collaboration between Neoen, FNPA and the APA, the new solar facility will deliver robust economic and social benefits for First Nations communities, including roughly 350 jobs during the peak construction phase.
This announcement represents the last tranche of existing major renewable energy procurements in Saskatchewan and brings the total installed capacity of renewables in the province to just under 1,000 MW. Additional calls for power are expected in the coming years, as SaskPower committed in 2022 to procure a total of 3,000 MW of wind and solar by 2035.
“We have been working hard alongside independent power producers and Indigenous communities and businesses as they navigate renewable energy procurement processes in Saskatchewan, and I’m very happy to see this approach get its day in the sun,” said CanREA’s Director of Policy for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and Director of Indigenous Engagement, Kelly Hall, who was on hand for the announcement in Regina. “We look forward to continuing to support developers and Indigenous partners through our advocacy in the province.”
Quotes
“Saskatchewan is showing what can be achieved when utilities and Indigenous leadership work together to build our renewable energy future. This solar procurement partnership between SaskPower and First Nations Power Authority demonstrates economic reconciliation in action, to deliver long-term benefits for communities, ratepayers and the electricity system.”
—Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
“We have been working hard alongside both independent power producers and Indigenous communities and businesses as they navigate renewable energy procurement processes in Saskatchewan, and I’m very happy to see this approach get its day in the sun. We look forward to continuing to support developers and Indigenous partners through our advocacy in the province.”
—Kelly Hall, Director of Policy for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and Director of Indigenous Engagement, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
For media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact:
Joshua Bleser, Manager of Communications
Canadian Renewable Energy Association
communications@renewablesassociation.ca
About CanREA
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vision. Follow us on LinkedIn here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.