‘Flawed and inflated’: Electrical workers union refutes NDP coal plant cost claims

A dragline works in coal pits in front of the SaskPower Shand Power Station on Tuesday, March 19, 2008 south of Estevan, Saskatchewan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Troy Fleece (File image)

A local electrical workers union says the Saskatchewan NDP is misrepresenting the true cost of refurbishing coal-fired power plants.

Earlier this week, the Official Opposition claimed the provincial government’s plan to extend the life of coal-fired plants would cost $26 billion over the next 25 years, based on leaked documents.

However, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2067 (IBEW) staunchly rejected the claim in a letter penned to Crown Investments Minister Jeremy Harrison.

“The NDP’s costing figures are flawed and inflated,” wrote Assistant Business Manager Ken Hoste.

• Saskatchewan’s plan to extend life of coal power to cost $26B over 25 years: NDP

“Their analysis improperly includes fuel costs while also attaching transmission upgrade costs that have already been identified as necessary regardless of future generation choices. Transmission modernization will be required whether Saskatchewan pursues coal, natural gas, nuclear, renewables or a combination of all four.”

The letter went on to criticize the inclusion of capital, maintenance and operating costs in the decades to come.

These same points were made by Harrison on Thursday who said the leaked document was from an incomplete early draft of a presentation made to SaskPower’s board in 2025.

The minister and SaskPower’s Gregg Milbrandt likened the NDP’s claims to including future fuel costs as part of the total price tag of buying a new vehicle.

In addition to rejecting the NDP’s claims, Hoste also criticized its Grid and Growth Energy Plan.

“Their proposal relies heavily on natural gas from Alberta, making Saskatchewan more dependent on imported fuel that supports jobs and economic activity outside our province,” Hoste said.

“Natural gas prices are volatile, and transportation costs are ultimately borne by Saskatchewan ratepayers.”

Hoste added that this plan creates uncertainty for skilled tradespeople, jeopardizes investment confidence and undermines the livelihoods of thousands of families depending on a reliable, stable long-term strategy.

“Saskatchewan needs serious discussion about reliability, affordability, emissions reduction, and economic growth — not manufactured outrage or inflated figures designed for headlines,” Hoste said.

Last year, the province announced that it would extend the life of coal-fired plants until 2050 in order to bridge toward nuclear power.