SaskPower receives approval for international power line project

SaskPower has federal approval to build two power lines into the U.S., boosting export and import capacity.

SaskPower has received approval to build and operate two international power lines (IPLs).

The Crown corporation announced Thursday that the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) has approved its application, allowing it to proceed with a project meant to strengthen Saskatchewan’s power grid.

The IPL will boost shared power line capacity from 150 megawatts (MW) to 650 MW, improve emergency support and allow the province to import power.

It also allows SaskPower to export excess electricity to generate revenue.

“Transmission infrastructure is crucial to energy security and powering the economic growth in our province,” Jeremy Harrison, minister responsible for SaskPower, said in a news release.

“This project is an important component of our Saskatchewan First Energy Security Strategy and Supply Plan, and we’re very pleased with today’s Canada Energy Regulator decision that will allow it to proceed.”

The IPLs are being built as part of the Southwest Power Pool project, which will link the Tableland Switching Station (15 kilometres southwest of Estevan) to the Saskatchewan-North Dakota border.

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SaskPower will build two six-kilometre lines in Canada, while North Dakota-based Basin Electric will build the 180-km line in the U.S.

“Increasing the interconnection between SaskPower and the SPP will enhance the resilience and flexibility of both our electricity grids, allowing for more efficient balancing of supply and demand across regions,” said SaskPower president and CEO Rupen Pandya.

SaskPower said the decision from CER means the regulator is satisfied with engagement and Rightsholder consultation that’s been going on since 2023.

The Crown added the approval also means CER was pleased with the project’s planning, design, operation and consideration of environmental and other impacts.

Basin Electric was permitted by U.S. authorities to proceed with construction on its side in May 2026.

Construction of the line is scheduled to start later this year, and it’s planned to come online in 2027.