Saskatchewan government plans to extend life of coal plants: Minister

REGINA — Saskatchewan’s government says it’s planning to extend the life of the province’s coal plants before moving to nuclear power generation.

A dragline works in coal pits in front of the SaskPower Shand Power Station on Tuesday, March 19, 2008, south of Estevan, Sask. Saskatchewan's government says it's planning to extend the life of the province's coal plants before moving to nuclear power generation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Troy Fleece

REGINA — Saskatchewan’s government says it’s planning to extend the life of the province’s coal plants before moving to nuclear power generation.

Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison says in a letter to SaskPower employees that the decision will maintain jobs while keeping electricity affordable and reliable.

Harrison did not provide details on the costs of the plan or timelines, but says the province will explore the viability of adding carbon capture units.

The province already operates the units at the Boundary Dam Power Station, which has sometimes struggled to meet carbon capture targets.

SaskPower, the province’s electrical utility, operates three coal-fired plants and some units were scheduled to go offline in the coming years.

The province signed a deal with Ottawa in 2019 recognizing some units could run beyond the phaseout deadline of 2030, but Harrison says Saskatchewan has constitutional authority over electricity generation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025.

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press

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