(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Power reinforcement project

SaskPower to seek input on planned power line from Beatty to Jansen area

Jul 8, 2025 | 12:00 PM

A significant upgrade to the power grid is in the works for the northeast area of the province.

SaskPower will be building a new power line to service the region that will run from the Beatty switching station near Melfort to an existing power line near the village of Jansen.

“What this is going to do is modernize and expand the power grid in that part of the province,” explained SaskPower spokesperson Joel Cherry. “Most of our infrastructure up there is from the 1950s.”

Cherry told northeastNOW the current power infrastructure moves a high volume of power from the two hydro stations in the Nipawin area, and imports power from Manitoba to supply communities in the area and southern Saskatchewan as well.

“This new line is going to help to reinforce the power system and make sure we still have reliability for our customers.”

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According to SaskPower, the new power line will be about 122 km long and cost around $140 million. Part of the funding will come from the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan.

SaskPower is currently in the process of deciding route options for the new line, and several different possibilities have been drawn up. The company is looking for public feedback on the options. Cherry said that consulting with stakeholders and the public is important in making sure the best overall route is chosen.

“We’re meeting with communities, landowners, etcetera to get feedback,” Cherry said.

Meetings will be held in several communities this summer to gather input on the options.

(courtesy SaskPower)

Cherry said representatives will be at the Site Offices to answer questions and gather public feedback. He added SaskPower has already undertaken work to ensure all environmental regulations are met and that impact is reduced on wildlife, water sources, and areas with heritage or cultural significance.

Cherry said SaskPower is looking to modernize its infrastructure across Saskatchewan, and there is a lot of aging infrastructure in the province. The power needs have grown throughout the years and continues to grow, and Cherry said building new higher-capacity lines that growth can be supported now and in the future.

There will be follow-up engagement this winter and next spring, with the construction expected to start in the winter of 2027 or spring of 2028. The project should wrap up by the fall of 2029.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com