Quotables:

• We recognize the important role we play in Saskatchewan’s economic development. We’re committed to supplier diversity and inclusive business practices as key parts of our corporate procurement strategy.
• We’re excited by the response we’ve had from local, Indigenous and women-owned companies that want to help us build Aspen Power Station. Not only are we on track to surpass our targets, but we’ve already been able to more than double our commitment to Indigenous-owned businesses.
• 2Nations Bird Construction LP has been contracted to complete the foundations and underground utilities work. This is the largest contract ever awarded to an Indigenous-owned company for a SaskPower natural gas power station project.

A key part of our procurement strategy is building supplier diversity and inclusive business practices. This approach is creating meaningful business partnerships and more opportunity to participate in our projects.

A great example of this strategy at work is our Aspen Power Station, which is 7 months into construction. We’re excited by the response we’ve had from local, Indigenous and women-owned companies that want to help us build this new power station near Lanigan.

Achieving Our Targets

When we signed the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement with our build partner, Burns & McDonnell, we included specific procurement commitments we hoped to reach. Not only are we on track to surpass all of these targets, but we’ve already been able to more than double our commitment to Indigenous-owned businesses.

One example is the contract with 2Nations Bird Construction LP to complete the foundations and underground utilities work. This is the largest contract ever awarded to an Indigenous-owned company for a SaskPower natural gas power station project. 2Nations Bird Construction is a limited partnership that is 51% owned by Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation and Fishing Lake First Nation. They're 2 of 10 First Nations directly impacted by the Aspen project. That makes this partnership especially meaningful.

Here are our spending commitments so far for the Aspen Power Station:

• Local businesses - $178 million (49% of target)
• Indigenous-owned businesses - $140.1 million (256% of target)
• Women-owned businesses - $21.1 million (85% of target)

Why Are These Commitments Important?

We recognize the important role we play in Saskatchewan’s economic development. We’re committed to supplier diversity and inclusive business practices as key parts of our corporate procurement strategy.

This means:

• leveling the playing field for smaller, less-established companies to be involved in major projects
• demonstrating our commitment to long-term relationships with, and economic reconciliation, for First Nations and Metis communities
• empowering women entrepreneurs to start, grow and scale businesses to drive economic growth

Not only does this approach make it possible for a broader business community to be involved in our projects, it often produces:

• lower costs
• local job creation
• innovation
• reduce risk
• other benefits

Construction Progress at Aspen Power Station

Around 250 workers are currently on site helping to transform it each day. We’re posting new photos regularly on the Aspen Power Station page to show the construction progress so far.

Learn More:

• Aspen Power Station