The Aspen Power Station, the natural gas based generation project being built near Lanigan, is nearing one-third completion as the project enters its second year.
A release from SaskPower indicates that work has ramped up with around 450 workers on site each day. The update notes that work currently focuses on finishing underground utilities and foundation work with work beginning on the vertical construction of the buildings and the turbine mounts.
“The 370-megawatt Aspen Power Station will generate enough reliable electricity to power a city the size of Saskatoon,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister Responsible for SaskPower. “This project is being driven by Saskatchewan people and businesses, with 18 of 19 construction contracts awarded to local companies, and all awarded to Canadian firms to date.”
At the outset of the project, SaskPower made a commitment to supporting Saskatchewan suppliers and contractors and Indigenous owned businesses. As of the end of April, $283 million has been committed to Saskatchewan companies, including $145 million for Indigenous-owned companies and $22 million for women-owned companies. The Crown Corporation says it’s well on track to exceed its commitment of $364 million for local and has already more than doubled its indigenous commitment of $54 million.
“SaskPower is committed to a diverse supply chain that supports local economic development,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO. “We appreciate the strong local support we have received on this project, and more opportunities will be available as construction continues through the summer.”
Aspen is the third such power plant built in the province. While SaskPower remains committed to working on power provision through green sources such as wind and solar, with new projects just announced, the natural gas plants will play an important part in delivering consistent power to the grid.
“With those, you need certain conditions such as sun or wind,” says Joel Cherry, media relations consultant with SaskPower, “Whereas natural gas can be ramped up or down when it’s needed, and it can be available at any time. That’s crucial to ensure we have a supply of reliable power for our customers all the time.”
Along with residential growth, expansion of industry and mining clearly define the need for additional production sources, such as the Aspen Power Plant, to come on line.
Construction on the combined-cycle natural gas power station began in April 2024, and the plant is expected to be in operation in 2027.