SaskPower has signed a 20-year agreement with the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) to expand the transmission line capacity between Saskatchewan and the United States. The increased capacity will enable the import and export of up to 650 megawatts (MW) of electricity starting in 2027.

The SPP manages the electric grid and wholesale power market for the central United States. With 106 members across 14 states, it is a large and diverse market comprised of over 94,600 MW of installed generation.

“Access to this large market ensures reliable energy is available to Saskatchewan to support our own generating facilities,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President & CEO. “This will help to manage the integration of more intermittent renewable power such as wind and solar while keeping costs as low as possible for customers.”

Expanding transmission capacity to the U.S. will also improve reliability in the event of planned or unplanned outages at SaskPower facilities and makes it possible for Saskatchewan to export excess power into the pool, which would create revenue opportunities.

SaskPower will build the necessary transmission facilities in Saskatchewan, with the SPP handling construction required in the United States.

Currently, SaskPower’s total tie-line capacity in and out of the SPP is 150 MW. Interconnections to the SaskPower grid also currently exist with both Manitoba (290 MW capacity) and Alberta (150 MW capacity).

For more information about SaskPower’s power future, visit saskpower.com/futuresupply. More information about the SPP can be found on their website at spp.org.

At a glance...

• SaskPower has reached an agreement to construct 650 MW of transmission capacity to the Southwest Power Pool
• Imports will increase reliability and support SaskPower’s clean energy transition
• More information can be found at saskpower.com/futuresupply and spp.org