SaskPower has awarded more than $30 million to local and area contractors for the Great Plains Power Station project, including $7 million to Aboriginal companies and workers.
Significant progress has been made on the foundation and underground installations of the new power plant that, when completed in 2024, will provide 360 megawatts of baseload power to the grid to support emission-free generation options, the Crown corporation said recently.
Since Burns & McDonnell broke ground in Moose Jaw’s Agri-Food Industrial Park in March, the company has awarded major construction contracts to Saskatchewan businesses for road construction, civil works, foundation pouring, underground installations, steel erection and more.
“With Great Plains, we are well on track to exceed the already strong local investment we saw on the Chinook Power Station project in Swift Current,” said Don Morgan, minister responsible for SaskPower. “The $30 million invested locally to date includes $7 million in Indigenous participation — and we are just getting started.”
Burns & McDonnell believes that it is important to include local Saskatchewan and Aboriginal suppliers and subcontractors in this project, said Jerry Gander, senior project manager. As the plant moves through the construction and commissioning phases, the company will continuously explore opportunities to increase local and Aboriginal participation throughout the remainder of the initiative.
“SaskPower is set to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, and we are looking at all supply options to get us to net-zero by 2050,” said Mike Marsh, SaskPower president and CEO. “Natural gas plants such as Great Plains Power Station will help to facilitate this transition to a low-carbon future while ensuring a reliable supply of power for all our customers in the coming years.”
SaskPower and Burns & McDonnell continue to engage with Aboriginal rightsholders and local stakeholders to ensure they’re involved as much as possible, the Crown corporation said.
It’s not too late for local businesses and contractors to get involved. More information about upcoming contracts, a list of major contracts already awarded to Saskatchewan businesses, and a drone video of the progress at the worksite can all be found at saskpower.com/greatplains.
