Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is ignoring the federal goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2035 and setting his own goal post for 2050.
“The federal government’s standards for zero emissions electrical generation by 2035 are unrealistic and unaffordable,” Moe said. “They mean SaskPower rates would more than double and we may not have enough generation to keep the lights on.”
Moe said he won’t let that happen, claiming to ensure affordable rates for customers while using an energy mix that will have reliable baseload power.
SaskPower will aim to hit net zero by 2050 by continuing to use existing assets like natural gas plants until their end of life.
The province will also push for other sources of power from small modular reactors (SMR), as well as wind and solar.
SaskPower President Rupen Pandya said their goal was already in the works before the federal goal, noting the federal one isn’t reasonable.
“It is not feasible for us to acquire the capital material and labour needed to transition over 150 per cent of our generation system that took us 93 years to build in a short 12 years,” Pandya said.
He compared Saskatchewan to other provinces, saying we don’t have the luxury of building hydro projects like B.C.
Pandya said Saskatchewan has one of the largest electricity grids per capita, claiming electricity transition costs would have a much higher impact on residents here than in other provinces.
Moe said he fears regulations are coming that could prevent SaskPower from operating any coal or natural gas plants.
He painted a picture where Saskatchewan would have unreliable energy and skyrocketing rates.
“We are asking the federal government to support the Saskatchewan plan.”
He said he wants to see grants from the federal government which includes 75 per cent of the cost for first SMR in the province and 50 per cent of the cost of new renewable power options.
He said the federal government would contribute about $6 billion, with the province providing the remaining $28 billion.
Moe noted that if the feds do this, SaskPower can keep annual rate increases to 3.0 per cent.
“Which is in stark contrast I would say to the unaffordable plan by the federal government which results in a total rate increase of 107 per cent by the year 2035,” Moe said.
He said he wants to see the feds freeze the carbon tax on Saskatchewan residents.
Moe said the plan includes the possibility of running their fossil fuel generated electricity production until the end of their lifespan.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to be very clear about this. In Saskatchewan, we will not attempt the impossible when it comes to power production in our province.”
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