New wind, solar projects to have largest Indigenous ownership in Sask.

A pair of new renewable power projects announced on Thursday are expected to set a record for Indigenous ownership in the province.

As part of its drive towards adding more renewable power into the system, SaskPower announced the new 200 MW Rose Valley wind project, to be built east of Assiniboia, and a 100 MW Southern Springs solar project to be built south of Coronach.

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) and Mistawasis Nêhiyawak formed M2 Renewables together and will own 51 per cent of each project, making it the largest Indigenous ownership to date for projects of this size in the province.

“We’re excited and we’re proud to be going down this path,” said MLTC Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman.

The MLTC is already into forestry a little closer to home, with a sawmill and power generation with biomass.

“To make power from wind, to make power from the sun, what creator has made, it’s a no-brainer for us. And for us to be one step closer to self-sufficiency, be one step closer to bringing our kids more opportunity, tackling some of the issues in our community that our people face, it’s a no-brainer for us to get into business, to try and do better for our people,” explained Norman.

In his remarks at the announcement, Norman talked about the difficulties he had securing loans on the First Nation when he was younger – despite his excellent credit, not being able to get a loan to build a house on the First Nation without jumping through a series of hoops, and then not being able to use that home as collateral a few years later when he wanted to invest in a business.

He said it’s tough to get into business in an Indigenous community but things have come a long way and he’s thankful to have this opportunity for the tribal council.

The new 200 MW wind project east of Assiniboia and 100 MW solar project south of Coronach are expected to be operational in 2027. (L to R) Chief Daryl Watson of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, SaskPower CEO Rupen Pandya, Crowns Minister Jeremy Harrison, Potentia Renewables CEO Ben Greenhouse, Meadow Lake Tribal Council Tribal Chief Jeremy Nelson. May 1, 2025 (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Chief Daryl Watson called it an awesome partnership. He said his First Nation is beyond just economic reconciliation and is working toward economic sovereignty. He said they have a well-diversified economic portfolio, including in the underground mining sector, and now this renewables opportunity is tremendous for the First Nation.

“With the opportunities that are before us now, we’re looking at increasing our housing allocations, we’re looking at building a hockey arena, we’re looking at community centres now that have never been thought of before because (it was) just pie in the sky,” said Watson.

Once they’re built, the two projects are expected to be able to produce enough power for 125,000 homes.

The projects are a partnership between M2 Renewables and Potential Renewables, which already has such projects in the province – one in the Assiniboia area.

Both facilities are expected to be on line in 2027. SaskPower said it will bring the Crown’s wind generation up to 1,217 MW and solar generation up to 318 MW.

Opposition to wind farms

Some wind projects have faced fierce opposition in Saskatchewan when they’re proposed and going through the approval stages.

In 2014, the RM of South Qu’Appelle effectively rejected a proposed wind farm near McLean, and the Seven Stars Energy Project, which was announced nearly two years ago to go near Weyburn, has been facing fierce pushback from some in the surrounding community.

When asked about any concerns on this front, Potentia Renewables CEO Ben Greenhouse said the company has already been working with the councils and reeves of the RMs on this – it does have another wind project nearby.

However, he did say there’s a lot left to do before any ribbon cuttings.

“There’s a lot of work to do to get the building permits, to finalize the machines, to finalize the locations,” said Greenhouse.