City of Saskatoon Alternative Energy Initiatives

  Status: Needs Improving

The City of Saskatoon requires electricity for our buildings and operations, and Saskatoon Light & Power distributes power to over 117,000 households in Saskatoon. Currently, almost all of this electricity comes from SaskPower and is generated using primarily non-renewable, carbon-intense energy sources including natural gas (39%) and coal (26%). Hydro (21%), wind (11%), and 'other' sources including solar (3%) make up the remainder of SaskPower's current energy mix.

To meet our net-zero GHG emission reduction target, both the City and SaskPower must switch to renewable and zero-emissions energy. Generating renewable energy reduces GHG emissions, improves air quality, saves money over the long-term, and demonstrates leadership in our community.

The City's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan includes the following key action within the Environmental Sustainability priority area:

• Develop initiatives to improve energy conservation and efficiency in buildings, transportation and land use planning.

Where are we now?

The City is working on a number of initiatives, including the development of a renewable energy strategy, to reduce energy use, switch fuel sources, and generate renewable electricity to meet its Low Emissions Community Plan targets and actions, including:

• Install 24MW of solar capacity by 2026 on municipal buildings;
• Install 20MW of utility-scale solar capacity by 2030, and 300MW by 2050;
• Install 6MW of hydropower at the weir, with an operational efficiency of 55% or greater by 2027; and
• Add 50MW of grid-tied electricity storage between 2025 and 2050.