Sask. to push net-zero targets to 2050 in new provincial plan

Sask. counters federal net-zero plan The Government of Saskatchewan is charting its own course to a clean energy transition. Allison Bamford has the details.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe released the province’s plan for electrical power generation after 2035, pledging the province will be able to meet its goals and become net-zero by 2050.

"The federal government's standards for zero emissions electrical generation by 2035 are unrealistic and unaffordable," Moe said in a provincial news release.

"They mean SaskPower rates would more than double and we may not have enough generation to keep the lights on.

According to the province, SaskPower is committed to achieving net-zero targets by 2050.

As work continues toward that goal, the province will maintain an “energy mix” of reliable baseload power.

This will include utilizing natural gas plants till their end-of-life date. Natural gas plants have a lifespan of about 45 years.

Coal-fired plants such as Boundary Dam 3 could remain operational until 2044 and the Shand Power Station will come to the end of its life in 2042.

In the meantime, the province will continue while working toward small modular reactors (SMRs) and intermittent power sources like wind and solar.

“Nuclear has worked well, effectively, safely, reliably and affordably in other provinces for 60 years so it’s certainly an option that should be considered, said Don Morgan, minister responsible for SaskPower.

Morgan said decisions on SMRs will not come until 2029 and the earliest one would be installed is 2034.

The provincial government has put in an ask to Ottawa for federal funding that would cover 75 per cent of Saskatchewan’s first SMR.

The province also requested funding for 50 per cent of the cost for other non-emitting technologies.

In a separate letter to the Federal Government, Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre outlined the province’s stance on power generation and its plan for net-zero emissions.

“Over and over again including most recently with the clean electricity regulations we see an absolute infringement of provincial jurisdiction over power generation, over natural resources,” Eyre said.

Saskatchewan’s official opposition agrees that Ottawa’s net-zero targets are unattainable, but only because the province has failed to expand renewable energy technology. Instead, the NDP believes 50 per cent renewable by 2030 is a realistic goal.

“The 2035 timeline, given the lack of action we’ve seen, the lack of urgency over the last 16 years isn’t achievable from where we’re at in Saskatchewan right now,” said NDP MLA Aleana Young.

“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to ensure that we’re reducing our emissions and ensuring we have affordable power for people in Saskatchewan.”

SaskPower said they have looked at all the scenarios and there are not many options at their disposal that would help mitigate emissions in a meaningful way.

“Given the scale of the challenge we have before us, there is no readily available mitigation that you could put in place that would offset the requirement,” said SaskPower president and CEO Rupen Pradya.

Last month, all G7 countries committed to decarbonizing their grids by 2035.

A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Natural Resources said Ottawa is willing to meet with each province to develop a clean energy plan that is reliable and affordable.

“A low-carbon supply chain is increasingly the “the price of entry” in the marketing of products internationally,” said spokesperson Ian Cameron.

“Therefore, having a grid which can provide clean, affordable, and reliable power to industry is – and will be – a significant comparative advantage in attracting investments to Canada. We want to help Saskatchewan seize that advantage.”

The government’s view was supported by Harvest Meats president Kenn Propp.

"Even though I recognize the importance of reducing carbon emissions, I also believe the accelerated timelines and additional burden of exponential increases in our electrical cost versus our competitors will force our customers to choose food products made in other, more competitive environments, creating a loss of the 300 employees we have in Yorkton and a family business that we've spent 95 years building," he said in the release.

"Maybe we’re just collateral damage when pursuing a singular solution."

By 2035, Saskatchewan will need 7,000 megawatts of generating capacity for its projected 1.5 million population, the release read.

Under the current federal plan, 65 per cent of the province’s generating capacity would need to be shut down.

Currently, 65 per cent of Saskatchewan’s electricity is generated through natural gas and coal. The other 35 per cent comes from non-emitting sources including wind, hydro and solar.

Saskatchewan recently signed at 20-year deal with Manitoba to continue importing 290 megawatts of hydroelectricity into the province.

However, Manitoba will likely have to take that power back as it works toward its own net-zero goals and growing economy.