By: Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
Located on the traditional territory of the Ocean Man Nakoda Nation, the Turning Sun Solar project is one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the province of Saskatchewan and one of the largest renewable energy projects currently under construction in Canada. The Turning Sun Solar Project includes 10 percent Indigenous ownership through the partnership with the Ocean Man First Nation.
At the groundbreaking ceremony on June 5, MP Terry Duguid, on behalf of the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced $15 million in federal funding for the project provided by the Government of Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs). This $4.5-billion program is designed to support the deployment of grid modernization, energy storage and non-emitting generation in every region of Canada, helping to grow the grid in a sustainable, affordable and reliable manner.
On May 14, the Government of Canada launched a new national electricity strategy, which aims to double the capacity of Canada’s grid by 2050 and supply clean, reliable, affordable power across the country. The statement from the Prime Minister’s office notes it will require major investments to generate more clean energy, connect fragmented electricity grids, train and retain tens of thousands of skilled Canadian workers, and strengthen Canadian manufacturing so more of the technologies powering that grid are made in Canada. (https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/05/14/prime-minister-carney-announces-forthcoming-national-electricity)
“Saskatchewan has always been an energy leader, and projects like Turning Sun are proof that that characteristic drive and spirit of innovation are alive and well,” said the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development. “We’re building the next generation of clean energy infrastructure projects by bringing together industry, Indigenous partners and rural communities, and that means more reliable power, more jobs and new economic opportunities, right here at home.”
Turning Sun is a partnership between Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure and Ocean Man First Nation. Once complete, the facility will produce power equal to what is needed for an average of 25,000 homes. As the independent power producer for the facility, Turning Sun Solar will build, own, maintain and operate the 100 MW solar facility. It’ll be built on SaskPower land about 7 kilometres southwest of Boundary Dam Power Station.
Turning Sun Solar Facility will be the first power generation project to connect to the new Tableland Switching Station, which SaskPower is building further southwest of Estevan. A five-kilometre-long new 230-kilovolt power line will be built to connect the two.
The 550-acre Turning Sun Solar Project site will be located approximately 8 kilometres southwest of the City of Estevan. Project construction will span up to 18 months, requiring up to 150 staff onsite, supporting a wide range of activities. Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor Barton Malow Canada will lead the construction of the groundbreaking 100-MW Turning Sun Solar Project.
Other solar power generation projects in Saskatchewan include the Mino Giizis (Mee-noh Gee-sis) Solar Project, an upcoming 100-megawatt (MW) solar facility within the Rural Municipality of Lajord, southeast of Regina, and the Southern Springs Solar Project, a new 100-megawatt solar facility to be built near Poplar River Power Station, approximately 8 kilometres south of Coronach, within the Rural Municipality of Hart Butte.