SWIFT CURRENT — Representatives from SaskPower were in Swift Current on Tuesday to discuss a proposed transmission line that would connect the province's power grid between Coteau Creek, near SaskPower's hydroelectric facilities at Gardiner Dam on Lake Diefenbaker, and Swift Current's Chinook Power Station.
The proposed transmission line would stretch approximately 155 kilometres and be constructed on steel H-frame structures. SaskPower says the project is a key component of a broader plan to move electricity generated in the region to homes, businesses and communities across Saskatchewan.
The Crown utility said the proposed 230-kilovolt transmission line would strengthen Saskatchewan's power grid as new wind and solar generation comes online in the south-central part of the province. It would also help ensure existing generating facilities can continue supplying electricity reliably.
SaskPower is currently consulting Indigenous rights holders, Métis communities, municipalities and landowners as it develops and refines potential routes for the line.
Once a preferred route is selected, SaskPower will seek easements for the right-of-way and conduct further consultation with directly affected landowners.
SaskPower representative Joel Cherry emphasized that the utility is still seeking public input before making any decisions.
"We are still at an early stage of this project and haven't selected a final route," Cherry said. "We are actively seeking feedback on potential route options before making a decision."
Cherry encouraged farmers, landowners, Indigenous rights holders and members of the public to attend upcoming open houses and provide feedback on the project.
At the open houses, SaskPower's stakeholder engagement team, engineers and technical experts will be available to answer questions from the public.
While some stakeholders attending the first open house in Swift Current expressed concerns about the line's proximity to homes and properties, another group has become increasingly vocal about its potential environmental impacts.
Trevor Herriot, a Saskatchewan naturalist and spokesperson for the Public Pastures Public Interest group, raised concerns about several of the proposed routes.
The group is particularly concerned about routes that could pass through Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park and the Matador Community Pasture.
The group has encouraged the public to attend SaskPower's consultation meetings.
"We're concerned about the proposed route that would cut through the west side of Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park," the group said in a statement. "That area consists of pristine grasslands with no visible infrastructure of any kind, and we believe Proposed Transmission Corridor West should not be considered."
The group also expressed concerns about Proposed Transmission Corridor West 1 and Proposed Transmission Corridor Centre, which would cross significant portions of the Matador Community Pasture and potentially impact native prairie habitat.
According to the group, Proposed Transmission Corridor East 1 and Proposed Transmission Corridor East 2 appear to be less harmful but require further study by people familiar with the area. The group also noted that another possible route, Proposed Transmission Corridor Crossover, remains unclear.
Herriot said the group's primary goal is to raise awareness about Saskatchewan's remaining native grasslands.
"These incredibly precious native pastures and grasslands are among the last we have left," he said. "We're down to about 10 to 12 per cent of the grassland that existed before settlement. The concern is that some of these routes could pass through some of the largest remaining pieces of native grassland in Saskatchewan."
Herriot said there is still time for SaskPower to work with stakeholders before selecting a final route.
"There is still lots of time to work with SaskPower to ensure that they make a good decision," he said.
Despite its concerns, the group supports the need for improvements to the province's electrical grid.
"We absolutely need a stronger, better electrical grid if Saskatchewan is going to take responsibility for the electrification required to reduce carbon emissions and move away from coal," Herriot said. "We're going to need alternative sources of energy and a transmission system that can support them. We support good transmission infrastructure. He also mentioned the group just wants to make sure the route passes through landscapes with low biodiversity value and avoids native grasslands.
As of July 22, members of the group had not attended the Swift Current open house but said they hope to work with SaskPower, as they have on previous projects affecting native habitats.
Upcoming public open houses
Beechy Community Hall
409 2nd Ave. N., Beechy
July 28-29
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Macrorie Community Hall
101 1st Ave. S., Macrorie
July 30
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
