Statement on the Recent Announcement by the Provincial Government on our Coal-Fired Power Plants

The Estevan Chamber of Commerce is pleased to acknowledge the provincial government's recent commitment to ensuring certainty in Saskatchewan's power production, with their priority being affordability and reliability.

Estevan and area has experienced uncertainty since the 2016 announcement to phase out coal-fired power plants. Businesses, citizens, and local governments have been left to wonder, "What's next?".

Optimism has grown since 2016, with prior announcements by the provincial government pledging to operate the Shand Power Station and Unit 3 at Boundary Dam until the end of their lifespans. As well, it was announced that Estevan was one of two potential sites for the future small modular reactors (SMRs), and we finally found out last spring, that we are the first site for the proposed SMRs. Needless to say, it has been a time of uncertainty but also one of excitement. 

Last week marked a significant commitment by the provincial government to seriously examine the refurbishment and extension of the lives of Units 4, 5, and 6 at Boundary Dam, with a promise to provide a firm answer by summer.

The province's investments in solar, wind, biomass, and natural gas generation, alongside planning for nuclear power, are commendable to the future sustainability of power production for Saskatchewan. The Estevan Chamber is delighted to know that the provincial government acknowledges that coal remains a vital component in the transition to future power generation due to its reliability as a baseload power source.

The Estevan Chamber of Commerce welcomes this news of certainty for our community. We also celebrate local government initiatives to diversify our economy and encourage these initiatives to continue and grow. The Southeast Tech Hub's efforts to explore alternative uses for coal and provide information on nuclear supply chains are crucial for our future economy. The funding by the Southeast Saskatchewan Economic Partnership (SSEP) has been crucial for expanding jobs and improving infrastructure in our area to attract businesses and people to our area.

The Estevan Chamber of Commerce looks forward to the certainty regarding our coal-fired power plants. We encourage local governments to continue their innovative efforts to diversify our economy, thus securing our future amidst evolving political landscapes.

Missed the story? Read more here:
https://www.sasktoday.ca/southeast/estevan-mercury/saskpower-looking-to-extend-life-of-five-coal-fired-generating-units-10093625

https://pipelineonline.ca/breaking-op-ed-government-of-saskatchewan-says-coal-has-future/#/?playlistId=0&videoId=0