SaskPower has signed a new power purchase agreement (PPA) with Mino Giizis Solar Ltd. to build and operate a new 100-megawatt (MW) solar facility near Lajord, southeast of Regina.

“This project is another example of SaskPower’s commitment to economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples,” said the Jeremy Harrison, Minister Responsible for SaskPower. “At 50 per cent Indigenous ownership, Mino Giizis will be a strong example of meaningful First Nations participation in the power system and the provincial economy for decades to come.”

“Mino Giizis will be one of Saskatchewan’s largest solar facilities, generating enough emissions-free electricity to power 30,000 Saskatchewan homes on average,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO. “With 300 MW of solar power currently in development, SaskPower is continuing to take an all-of-the-above approach to ensuring reliable and affordable power for our customers.”

In a joint statement, Chief Felix Thomas (Kinistin Saulteaux Nation), Chief Lynn Acoose (Zagime Anishinabek Nation), Chief George Cote (Cote First Nation), Counsilor Fernie O'Soup (The Key First Nation), and Tribal Chief Isabel O'Soup (Yorkton Tribal Council) said:

"The Mino Giizis solar project through the Anishinabek Power Alliance shows what genuine partnership looks like: Shared power, shared responsibility, and shared benefit. Our Nations see this as a way to move into the future without harming the land, while creating much needed revenue and employment opportunities for our people. Rooted in the spirit of Treaty and our responsibility to future generations, this historic moment is taking our Nations to another level in Treaty 4 Territory.

“When we look at projects like this, we see opportunity for our children and grandchildren, economic reconciliation taking root, and our voices and actions helping to shape Saskatchewan’s energy future. That is what truth and reconciliation means. We move forward together, in a good way."

“In every sense, Mino Giizis is a true partnership between the renewable energy industry and  First Nations,” said Emmanuel Pujol, Neoen Americas’ Regional CEO. “We are excited to have been selected by SaskPower and the First Nations Power Authority to deliver our first project in Saskatchewan. We look forward to our continued collaboration with our four First Nations partners in the Anishinabek Power Alliance as we work together to bring Mino Giizis to life.”

The Mino Giizis project was chosen through a competitive procurement process led by the First Nations Power Authority (FNPA), designed to identify and recommend a successful project to SaskPower.

“Over the past two years, FNPA’s technical support and all-Indigenous evaluation team reviewed and screened some very compelling proposals from Saskatchewan First Nations and their IPP partners on 100 MW of solar generation,” said FNPA CEO Guy Lonechild. “We are delighted to share that our preferred proponent is Mino Giizis Solar Ltd. A 50-50 partnership between Cote First Nation, the Key First Nation, Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, Zagime Anishnabek, and their Independent Power Producer partner, Neoen Holding Canada Inc.”

FNPA is a non-profit, membership-based corporation. It was established to create opportunities for Indigenous communities to be active participants in the energy sector, and acts as a liaison between government-owned power utilities and various corporations in the power industry. More information about FNPA can be found at fnpa.ca.

For more information about Mino Giizis and other projects underway, visit saskpower.com/projects.

At a glance...

• SaskPower has signed a power purchase agreement on a new 100-MW solar facility near Lajord, SK.
• Mino Giizis Solar will be owned and operated by Neoen Holding Canada Inc. and Anishinabek Power Alliance Ltd.
• The competition for this PPA was initiated and managed by FNPA
• Visit Mino Giizis Solar Project to learn more