March 28, 2024
Global Renewable News

SASKATOON
City and Saskatoon Tribal Council to Partner on the Development of New Hydropower Station

November 16, 2017

The City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Tribal Council have signed an official Memorandum of Understanding regarding the development of a new hydropower generation station at the location of the Saskatoon Weir. City Mayor Charlie Clark and STC Tribal Chief Mark Arcand signed the agreement at TCU Place this morning (11/15) during the First Nations Power Authority 2017 Western Canadian Indigenous Renewable Energy Forum.

"Partnerships like this are opportunities to put the concept of Reconciliation into action," says His Worship Charlie Clark, City of Saskatoon Mayor. "This project gives us a chance to learn the best way to generate renewable power for future generations, where we can create economic opportunity for the Tribal Council and City of Saskatoon while also preserving the integrity of our cherished river valley." 

"The TRC Calls to Action state that Indigenous peoples should receive equal opportunity to access lasting sustainable benefits from economic development projects," says Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. "The hydropower project's equal ownership model exemplifies the true spirit and intent of reconciliation."

First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) is an Indigenous not-for-profit advisory service with a mandate to support Indigenous communities and businesses in advancing their active investment in the power sector.  For this project, FNPA, via its' 10-year Master Agreement with SaskPower, supports STC activities in this project as a facilitator, a developer and an owner's representative throughout the development process, to ensure Indigenous interests are maximized. 

While pre-feasibility studies concluded this project was technically feasible, economically viable, and would cause no significant environmental disruption, the next step will be a full feasibility study for a jointly owned hydropower station at this location.

Some of the benefits of this project will include:

  • Expanding the City's clean-power generation program to hydropower;
  • Restoration and upgrade of the current weir infrastructure;
  • Construction of a river crossing for pedestrians and cyclists that will be wider, safer and more accessible than the current one on the CP Rail Bridge;
  • Opportunities for First Nations employment, training and education;
  • Generation of investment returns that will enable the STC to support community infrastructure and social programs in member communities.

The total estimated cost of the project is between $60 and 65 million, which is expected to be funded by the STC and private-sector partners, off-set by revenue generated by the power station and funding from other green-energy funding sources.

For more details and preliminary renderings of the hydropower site, visit saskatoon.ca/hydropower.

For more information

City of Saskatoon
222-3rd Avenue N
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Canada S7K 0J5
www.saskatoon.ca


From the same organization :
2 Press releases