Attention: small and medium-sized generators in Saskatchewan

There is currently 25 megawatts set aside for non-wind electrical generation in Saskatchewan through a new program called the “Green Options Partners Program” which is still under development. More information is available here: http://www.saskpower.com/independent_power_producers/green_options_partner_program.shtml.

Further information will be available in early January 2010.

This will likely be a standing-offer program for generators - I suspect primarily PV and biogas.

RFQ Released

It appears that the RFQ has been officially released and SaskPower’s statement on their website states:

We're issuing a formal Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to procure up to 175 megawatts (MW) of wind power from one or more Independent Power Producers. The RFQ will identify qualified bidders with the interest and capability in helping us meet the province's electrical supply needs. Qualified proponents will be invited to respond to a formal Request for Proposals in the spring.

The actual RFQ document is available here: http://generationprocurement.saskpower.com/pdf/RFQ_SaskPower_Wind_V1.0.pdf

It will be an interesting race to see who makes the RFQ cut? Submissions are due February 19, 2009.

Saskatchewan's Energy Plan

Here is a link to an interview with the Premier of Saskatchewan:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy-resources/Saskatchewan+energy+plan/2313206/story.html

Premier Wall alludes to the forthcoming Climate Change legislation in Saskatchewan (Bill 95) wherein a Technology Fund, similar to that in Alberta will be created to foster technology research into climate change and GHG emission reduction.

Premier Wall goes on to state: "If cap and trade goes to anything other than renewables or technology research, then it is not environmental policy but a tax."

Whether it is a tax or not is in my view not particularly relevant but the interesting aspect is the inclusion of "renewables" in the statement above. Under the proposed legislation, the Technology Fund in Saskatchewan will likely be used primarily to assist large regulated emitters undertake research to reduce emissions.

However, in the future, maybe the Technology Fund could be used by developers (other than the regulated emitters) to actually develop and build new renewable energy projects in the province?

SaskPower RFQ delayed?

The anticipated December 1, 2009 date for the release of the SaskPower RFQ for wind energy seems to have quietly passed. Has anyone heard anything from SaskPower in this regard?

Saskatchewan government re-introduces climate change legislation

Yesterday (December 1, 2009), the Saskatchewan government re-introduced Bill 95 into the legislature with some minor amendments.

Changes to the Act, which was introduced to the legislature last May, include:

1. Adding the authority to establish performance agreements with large emitters to reduce greenhouse gas emissions outside of regulated activities and with non-regulated emitters in the agriculture, transportation and commercial and residential building sectors.

The performance agreements will likely prove to be an efficient mechanism for large emitters to control and manage their emissions. Large emitters in the above industry sectors would be well advised to seek legal counsel now to start drafting a preliminary pro forma Performance Agreement based on the proposed legislation.

2. Providing for an Environmental Code to establish standards, guidelines and best practices for reducing emissions by large emitters and other sectors, which ensures the consistency of this Act with the province's results-based environmental regulatory framework.

To gain a competitive advantage, businesses in Saskatchewan would be well advised to seek legal counsel to start planning and drafting a compliance strategy for the proposed Environmental Code.

SaskPower RFQ

The SaskPower RFQ for wind generation scheduled to be released yesterday (December 1, 2009) seems to have been delayed.