Indigenous-led partnerships powering 2 new Sask. renewable energy projects

Two new renewable energy projects are coming to south-central Saskatchewan, both through Indigenous-led partnerships.

The projects were announced Thursday at a news conference in Regina with provincial officials, SaskPower and Indigenous leaders.

SaskPower awarded contracts for the 200-megawatt Rose Valley Wind Project, east of Assiniboia, and the 100-megawatt Southern Springs Solar Project, south of Coronach.

The projects will be developed and run by Potentia Renewables Inc. in partnership with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) and Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation.

The wind project will operate under a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA), while the solar project will run under a 25-year PPA.

M-Squared (M2) Renewables, a joint venture between MLTC and Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, will hold a 51 per cent stake in each project — making it the largest Indigenous ownership share of any utility-scale energy initiative in Saskatchewan to date, according to a news release.

The provincial government said the announcement reflects a broader commitment to economic reconciliation and supporting Indigenous participation in major infrastructure developments across the province.

"With these projects, our government and SaskPower are continuing to advance economic reconciliation and build on our strong relationships with Saskatchewan's Indigenous communities,"  Jeremy Harrison, minister responsible for SaskPower, said in a news release.

SaskPower said the two projects will produce enough electricity to power about 125,000 homes, while helping reduce emissions and maintain affordability.

"Southern Springs Solar and Rose Valley Wind will not create emissions while generating," Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO said.

Meadow Lake Tribal Council Chief Jeremy Norman said the projects are not only about delivering power — they're about creating opportunity. He said the ability to own and operate energy infrastructure brings meaningful participation in the provincial economy and supports long-term goals of self-determination.

"To make power from wind to make power from the sun, what creator has made, it's a no-brainer for us," Norman tribal said at the event. "To be one step closer to bringing our kids more opportunity, tackling some of the issues in our community, that our people face, it's a no-brainer."

Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Chief Daryl Watson also welcomed the collaboration, calling it an example of reconciliation in action. He said the economic impact will help the community build much-needed infrastructure.

"Now we're looking at increasing our housing allocations, we're looking at building a hockey arena, we're looking at community centres now that have never been thought of before," Watson said.

The projects are expected to be completed in late 2027. Once operational, the new facilities will bring SaskPower's total wind generation capacity to 1,217 megawatts and solar capacity to 318 megawatts.