Catching more (Ar)rays with additional solar power installations

In early 2023, SaskEnergy’s first net-metering solar installation at Town Border Station (TBS) 1 in southwest Regina began generating electricity from the 176 solar panels installed on site. Fast forward to today, and we now have eight sites with large-scale solar arrays capable of generating power!

These installations are a vital part of our Roadmap to 35 Per Cent by 2030, which includes integrating more renewable energy into our operations.

“As part of our Roadmap we're focused on reducing both our direct emissions from our operations and our indirect emissions related to electricity consumption — which is where the solar panel installations come in,” explains Jordan Leugner - Manager, Emissions Management.

Since the initial project, solar power systems have been installed at compressor stations and our Swift Current office. While solar panel performance fluctuates throughout the day, and from season to season, so far the installations have been living up to the hype. Several sites are generating enough electricity at peak to put power back onto the grid, and others are achieving multiple months of $0 power bills!

In its first full year of operation, the solar array at our Success Compressor Station has reduced the site's annual electricity use by 175,580 kWh.

The most recent additions to the fleet have been installations at our Asquith, Rosetown and Moosomin compressor stations, along with TBS 5 in Saskatoon. Between the four locations, 668 solar panels were installed!

“These initiatives provide us an opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint and leverage exciting new technologies. The installations at Rosetown, Success and Swift Current are perfect examples of our company's commitment to environmental responsibility and stewardship,” Mike Rossiter – General Manager, Southwest Operations.

As the projects rolled out, teams across SaskEnergy collaborated closely to ensure successful installations at each site.

“It was such a great opportunity to learn from each other and support each other as we worked through any challenges together,” says Kim Brogden – Project Manager. “It was very rewarding to be able to contribute to our emissions reduction efforts and a more sustainable system.”

Here's hoping for a sunny summer, so our more than 1,000 solar panels around the province can soak up as many rays as possible!