The editor:
Canadians have always been at the cutting edge of innovation in the energy sector. It was that sense of innovation and exploration that allowed us to build hydroelectric dams in the harsh north, allowed us to electrify and connect our cities, and allowed us to get bitumen out of the oilsands.
Innovation continues to drive our energy future as Canadians develop new technologies that will help us both develop our oil and gas resources in a greener way, as well as broaden our energy sources. Of course, these new technologies will tap into more well known renewable resources like wind and solar. But our energy potential – particularly in Saskatchewan – goes much further.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister for Public Safety Ralph Goodale announced that our government is investing $25.6 million in a major project that will harness heat from thousands of meters below the earth’s surface and transform it into electricity to power our homes and businesses year-round.
It’s one of the largest renewable energy projects we’ve invested in and it’s happening right here in Saskatchewan. DEEP’s geothermal facility is the first of its kind – not only for this province, but for our country.
One hundred new jobs will be created during its construction and when built, it will produce enough energy to power 5,000 homes, and cut pollution by the equivalent of 7,400 cars. Welders, boilermakers, electricians and researchers will come together to build this project – creating new business opportunities and paving the way for more job creating energy projects like it.
This is exactly the kind of investment we need to make Canada a global leader in all forms of energy. From tidal energy in Nova Scotia, to bio thermal fuels in rural Quebec, to emerging forms of solar energy technologies, to water-free oilsands in Fort McMurray, we are rewriting the script on how we produce energy in Canada – making it less polluting and more efficient – and bringing with it job opportunities for hardworking Canadians.
And as we support this new wave of jobs and bring on different sources of energy, we need to make sure that the electricity grid we rely on to heat our homes and power our worksites is ready to take it on. That is why, late last year, our government invested almost $5 million to help SaskPower modernize its grid.
A more modern grid can take on cleaner forms of energy, be more reliable and reduce the chances of losing power. That’s good for the environment and for homeowners – rural and urban alike.
There is no doubt that oil and gas will continue to drive our energy industry for decades to come. However, Canadians know that every new technology we embrace helps boost the short, medium and long-term success of our energy industry and for the hard working Canadians that it employs. New technologies and new energy sources will allow Canadians to compete on the world stage as we continue to harness our abundant and diverse natural resources.
When we invest in new ideas, we push the envelope on what is possible. We find new ways to create jobs, boost competitiveness and grow the economy. Saskatchewan will be home to Canada’s first-ever geothermal plant. It’s an accomplishment we should all be very proud of. These are the kinds of investments we promised Canadians we would make. And we will continue to deliver.
Amarjeet Sohi
Minister of Natural Resources
