First Nations Urged To Get Into Power Generation

First Nations Urged To Get Into Power Generation

Monday, March 23, 2009 at 13:17

SaskPower is inviting First Nations to present proposals to provide power to the province — because the need will be huge.

That’s one of the messages Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff gave during a luncheon in North Battleford on Friday.

Cheveldayoff says by 2013, the province will need another 650 to 950 megawatts of power to meet demand.

He says some First Nations have come up with proposals.

For example, Black Lake is proposing a 42-megawatt facility — and the James Smith Cree Nation is spearheading a proposal for a 250-megawatt facility.

But Cheveldayoff says there’s room for more projects, noting the government knows there is hydro potential in the province’s north.

He also says First Nations seem interested in the idea of providing electricity to the province.