Quotables:

• SaskPower’s first microgrid project is bringing a new source of power to the small community of Descharme Lake and helping reimagine what a modern, reliable power solution can look like for northern Saskatchewan’s most remote areas.
• It’s a custom-built solution that combines solar panels with battery energy storage and diesel generators to power the community year-round.
• Electricity Canada inducted the project into its Centre of Excellence in 2025.

SaskPower’s first microgrid project is bringing a new source of power to the small community of Descharme Lake and helping reimagine what a modern, reliable power solution can look like for northern Saskatchewan’s most remote areas.

For decades, Descharme Lake residents relied on a 96-kilometre (km) power line stretching north from La Loche through rugged boreal forest to the small village of about 20 homes. The line was built more than 60 years ago and is difficult and costly to maintain. Due to its location, it’s also vulnerable to weather-related outages that can take more time than normal to repair because of reduced access. We took the challenge to innovate a new way to power the community and ensure a more reliable service overall.

In April 2025, the Descharme Lake Microgrid came online. It’s a custom-built solution that combines solar panels with battery energy storage and diesel generators to power the community year-round.

Electricity Canada inducted the project into its Centre of Excellence in 2025.

Watch the video below.

A Made-in-Saskatchewan Solution

We collaborated with the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) to design and build the microgrid.

SRC contracted several local and Indigenous-owned companies to assist with construction.

The system combines 474 solar panels, 96 lithium iron phosphate batteries and two diesel generators. The batteries, generators and system controls are securely housed within a hybrid energy container that has advanced safety features and remote monitoring. The container sits parallel to several rows of solar panels that take up about three acres of land.

Installation of the solar panels was completed in fall 2024. The container and all its components were brought to the site in March 2025. The system came online a few weeks later in April.

Why It Matters

By creating an independent system that can generate power locally, the microgrid boosts reliability for the community. The impact was clear early on. In the first six months of operation, customers connected to the microgrid had zero outages.

The microgrid also benefits the environment. In addition to not emitting greenhouse gases when running on solar or battery storage, the microgrid lessens the need for vegetation management along the existing power line, which means less disturbance to the surrounding forest.

“The Descharme Lake Microgrid project shows how innovation, teamwork and patience can solve a real-world challenge,” said Cory Gelowitz, Manager, Distribution Modernization for SaskPower. “It’s a powerful example of how collaboration and technology can be used to deliver a reliable solution to our remote northern customers.”

How It Works

Over the course of a typical year, about 80% of the power generated by the microgrid will come from the sun. Extra solar energy is stored in the batteries, which has enough capacity to power the community for 24 hours. The diesel generators are programmed to start up when battery energy is low, like on days with low sunlight.

Initial performance results show that in its first six months of operation, the microgrid supported the community with 100% solar-battery energy; the generators weren’t used at all.

The system is remotely monitored 24/7 and we hire community members to assist with maintenance.

For the first year or more, we’re keeping the 96-km distribution line connection available as backup while we ensure all early-stage glitches are addressed without power disruptions for customers.

Putting the Community’s Needs First

The microgrid project represents a long-term working relationship with community members.

We engaged with the First Nations of the area, community members and Northern Municipal Services to determine how to best meet local needs and to determine a good location for the new system. Throughout the project, we focused on building trust and ensuring community members felt informed and part of the effort to improve power in their community.

Looking Ahead

With the microgrid now energized, we continue to monitor how it performs. We’ll also engage community members when it’s time to begin the process of decommissioning the old power line.

As we look to improving service to other remote communities, the Descharme Lake Microgrid provides valuable insight to influence our future planning. It shows what’s possible when innovation is guided by local expertise and community values.

Learn More

• Descharme Lake Microgrid