Photo: Location of Codette to Tobin Lake power line rebuild.
By Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
SaskPower is seeking local input as it plans to replace a decades-old power line serving about 2,500 customers in the Nipawin, Carrot River and Tobin Lake areas.
The existing line, built in 1959, runs between the Codette Switching Station, Carrot River Substation and Tobin Lake Substation. It has reached the end of its expected service life and experienced more frequent and prolonged outages during the past decade, SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry told SaskToday.
“Replacing this power line will improve reliability, reduce long-term maintenance requirements, improve safety, and ensure continued delivery of power for homes, farms and businesses in the areas,” Cherry said.
SaskPower’s project information confirms the existing 72-kilovolt line will be replaced by a new 138-kilovolt line approximately 75 kilometres long. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2028, with completion and energization targeted for spring 2030.
The project remains in its early planning stage. “We’ve identified potential route options for the new line. These options are not final,” Cherry said. “Feedback gathered during this stage, along with environmental, technical, land-use and cost considerations, will help us identify a preferred route.”
The study area encompasses Codette and portions of the rural municipalities of Nipawin and Moose Range. SaskPower’s project map shows several potential route alternatives under consideration between Codette, the Carrot River area and Tobin Lake.
SaskPower is consulting rights holders, landowners and other stakeholders as it considers those routes. The Crown corporation is looking for information about potential effects on landowners and the area, including environmental, wildlife and heritage resources, existing and future infrastructure and ways potential impacts could be reduced.
Cherry said SaskPower also wants to hear residents’ broader concerns and suggestions about others who should be consulted.
“Local knowledge is crucial as it helps SaskPower understand considerations that technical studies alone may not identify,” Cherry said.
Public feedback will be considered alongside technical studies and other factors before a preferred route is chosen. SaskPower says becoming involved during the early stages gives people a greater opportunity to have their feedback considered before key project decisions are made.
An open house is being held at the Evergreen Centre Auditorium, 300 Evergreen Dr. in Nipawin, giving residents and landowners an opportunity to meet with the project team and learn more about the proposed routes.
SaskPower’s official project information lists the open house for Oct. 6 to 9 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The rebuild is expected to take place in two phases. SaskPower plans to construct approximately 54 kilometres from the Codette Switching Station, through the Carrot River Substation, to the Petaigan area on a new or adjusted right-of-way. Another approximately 21 kilometres would extend from the Petaigan area to the Tobin Lake Substation on SaskPower-owned and Crown agricultural land.
The new line is expected to use steel H-frame structures and will operate at 138 kilovolts, compared with the existing line’s 72 kilovolts. SaskPower says the higher-voltage line will provide flexibility for future needs.
After the initial consultation, follow-up engagement is anticipated in spring 2027. SaskPower expects engineering and design work to be completed by spring 2028 and easement and permitting work by summer 2028. Construction is scheduled to begin that fall, with the new line expected to be powered up by spring 2030.
No estimated project cost is currently available.
“SaskPower is at an early planning stage and is actively seeking feedback on potential route options before key decisions are made,” Cherry said. “We are not able to share an estimated cost at this early stage of the project.”
Additional information about the Codette to Tobin Lake Power Line Rebuild, including proposed routes and opportunities to provide feedback, is available through SaskPower’s project page.