SaskPower is expanding its renewable energy options with the introduction of a new Renewable Subscription Service (RSS) aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, farms, and residential customers. Announced on Thursday, February 20, the service is intended by the Crown utility to provide a flexible, affordable way for customers to offset their greenhouse gas emissions without the need for costly self-generation equipment like solar panels.
This new service builds on SaskPower's previous offering, which was available only to large industrial customers. Now, individuals and smaller businesses can purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), which represent the environmental benefits of energy generated from SaskPower’s renewable facilities. By paying a premium, customers can claim the emissions reduction benefits of renewable energy directly from the utility's renewable generation sources.
“We understand that self-generation isn’t an option for every customer who wants to offset their own emissions,” said Rhea Brown, Executive Vice President of Customer Experience & Procurement at SaskPower. “We are committed to empowering customers to manage their power use and emissions, and introducing the ability for these customers to purchase RECs is evidence of that.”
Customers will be able to offset anywhere from 25% to 100% of their power consumption. The cost for this service is set at $0.015 per kilowatt-hour or $15 per megawatt-hour of energy consumed. The premium will appear as a separate line item on customers' power bills.
Joel Cherry, a spokesperson for SaskPower, explained that the program gives customers a chance to take part in renewable energy efforts at a level that fits their needs and budget.
"It's an option for customers who want to offset their greenhouse gas emissions with an option that's flexible and it's generally more affordable than self-generation, which would be the other option,” he said. "With this program, you can essentially say that by paying this premium, you're powering your house with renewable energy from those facilities.”
For customers who are interested in participating, the sign-up process is simple. They can visit SaskPower’s website or contact customer service for more information and to enroll in the program. For those who previously participated in SaskPower's Green Power Program (offered from 2002 to 2017), the new service replaces the old program, and enrollment is required.