Welcome to the official Pesâkâstêw Solar Project webpage!
This webpage has been created to provide information about the project to the community, stakeholders, and the First Nations of Saskatchewan.
This webpage has been created to provide information about the project to the community, stakeholders, and the First Nations of Saskatchewan.
About the project
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The Pesâkâstêw Solar Project is a 10 MW solar farm in development in the Rural Municipality of Weyburn, Saskatchewan, approx. 4 km southwest of the city of Weyburn on land with low environmental sensitivity. The project is set to be constructed and in commission by 2020, supplying clean energy to the Saskatchewan electrical grid.
This project will require approximately 85-100 acres (34-41 ha) of land and will connect directly to the SaskPower substation adjacent to the site. The project will be able to provide electricity to approximately 2,400 homes and, in doing so, will displace 18,860 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. With the best solar resource in Canada, Saskatchewan is well-positioned for solar projects to make significant contributions to achieving the 50% renewable electricity by 2030 target set by the province. In particular, the Rural Municipality of Weyburn, being located in the south, has some of the highest solar potential in the province. |
What's happening?
Public Consultation |
The Open House on March 6th was a great success, with many community members in attendance. Another Open House is being planned for the summer, which will be advertised here and through local media outlets. We hope that you will come join us to learn more about the project. |
Geotechnical Investigations |
Geotechnical investigative studies will be conducted on site within the next few weeks to help gain additional insight into the soil conditions. This work will help shape the design of the project, materials used and technologies applied to ensure it is compatible with the specific site chosen. |
Environmental Surveys |
Environmental surveys, including those for wildlife, vegetation, and visual impacts, have been started in order to assess the potential this project may have on the local and regional environment. |
Municipal Permitting |
We are working with the Rural Municipality of Weyburn planner on permitting, since there are currently no bylaws pertaining to solar developments. |
Project Proponents
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The project is being developed by Natural Forces on behalf of Pesâkâstêw Solar Limited Partnership who is proposing and own the Pesâkâstêw Solar Project.
The Pesâkâstêw Solar Limited Partnership is a partnership between George Gordon Developments Ltd., Red Dog Holdings Ltd. and Natural Forces. George Gordon Developments Ltd. (GGDL) is the economic development branch of George Gordon First Nation. By establishing important business partnerships, GGDL has become a regional First Nation leader in business development. Through these partnerships, GGDL has assembled the capacity and capability to successfully enter high quality bids on major projects related to resource development with renowned North American companies. Red Dog Holdings Ltd. (RDHL) is the economic development branch of Star Blanket Cree Nation. One of the main goals of RDHL is to develop long term partnerships with companies that have shared values and objectives. RDHL also strives to provide opportunities for sustainable employment, training, wealth creation, and community development. Natural Forces is a private independent power producer that delivers renewable energy projects in partnership with local communities across Canada. We develop, construct, own, and operate wind, solar, and hydro projects with First Nation communities, universities, municipalities, and local community funds. |
The Overall Process
There are three main phases to advance a solar project from a mere idea to actually producing energy, which are Development, Construction, and Operation. Thereafter, Decommissioning is the fourth phase that returns the site to its condition before the project was constructed. Each phase involves many steps and milestones to achieve in order to follow through prior to starting the subsequent phase of the project.
1 - Development
3 - Operation
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2 - Construction
4 - Decommissioning
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Environmental Studies
According to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Act, 2018, a solar project of this size will require to submit a Technical Proposal to the province. This Proposal, which is submitted to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment and Stewardship Branch, will require comprehensive studies which are being conducted on site, including:
- Solar resource assessment
- Noise and visual assessments
- Heritage resource studies
- Vegetation and habitat surveys
- Migratory and breeding bird studies
- Wetland and watercourse surveys
- Various wildlife studies
Photo Gallery
More pictures will be added here as the project progresses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions that are asked by community members will be posted and answered in this section. This section will be updated continually throughout the life of the project.
Will there be a maintenance plan for the project? If so, what will it include?
Yes, there will be a maintenance plan in place, which will be part of the larger operations plan. Routine maintenance will be carried out in order to mitigate any issues that may arise.
Largely, this will entail regular on-site inspections of the equipment, including solar panels, electrical connections, inverters, and transformers. Based on these inspections, repairs will be carried out as needed.
Land inspections will also be part of this routine to ensure proper drainage from the site, monitor any erosion, and assess risk of grass fires, which will lead to remediation as required. Cleaning the panels is not planned at this time, however the first year of production will assist in determining if cleaning should be considered as part of the regular maintenance. Depending on the final design, snow removal will be.
How will the site be re-vegetated after construction?
There will be a vegetation management plan as part of the larger operations plan. This plan will take shape as the project progresses, but will include a plan for ground cover beneath the panels. The ground cover will be selected such that minimal maintenance is required and to prevent invasive species. In this way, there are a number of considerations that will go into selecting the ground cover, including shading and moisture availability under the panels, weed removal requirements, native species, and short-growing species.
How will the site be reclaimed after the project is decommissioned?
At the end of the project life, the site will be de-energized and all of the equipment will be dismantled and removed. This will include all surface components as well as subsurface components to a depth of 1 m. At this point we will recycle as many of the materials as possible. The soil and land will be restored to original grade. In consultation with the municipality and landowner, seeding will be carried out to prevent topsoil erosion.
How much property tax will this project supply for the RM of Weyburn?
At this time, the property tax assessment indicates that the project will supply from approximately $28,000 to $47,000 per year in property taxes, as the value of the project will depreciate over time. The assessment is based on the cost of the equipment and structures added to the lands for the project with the exception of the panels themselves.
Will the project produce a lot of noise during operation?
Solar projects hardly emit any noise with the loudest noise being from the transformers. As the project is located directly adjacent to an existing SaskPower owned substation, the background noise levels will far exceed the noise from the project. As such, the project is not expected to create significant increase to the noise levels.
How big is each solar panel/module?
The average size of solar module used in a utility sized solar project is approximately 1 m x 2 m. Together, several solar modules form a solar array. While this will likely be the size of modules used for this project, the design of the project and the specific equipment have not been finalized.
When will the project start producing electricity?
The project is set to be constructed and commissioned by the end of 2020, which will mark the beginning for electricity production on the site.
Do solar panels produce glare? How will this impact nearby houses, traffic, and animals?
Solar panels can produce some glare, but no more than what might be produced from a still pond. It is not expected that this will have much, if any, impact on the surrounding area.
How does the Environmental Assessment process work?
According to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Act, 2018, a solar project of this size is required to submit a Technical Proposal (expanded upon below) to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment and Stewardship Branch (EAB). This is the first step in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The Technical Proposal is then screened by the staff at the Department of Environment to determine if the project is deemed to be a Development under the definition in the Act. A Development is a project deemed to have an effect on unique, rare, or endangered features in the area, use a substantial provincial resource, cause emissions or by-products, cause widespread concern due to potential environmental changes, induce significant environmental change, or have a significant impact on the environment.
If it is determined that the project is not a Development, the project can proceed, however it is still required to secure a number of additional applicable permits and approvals under other departments and government levels.
If it is determined that the project is considered a Development, the proponent is required to conduct an EA and submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This document is reviewed by the Saskatchewan EA Review Panel and the EAB, which, if necessary, provide comments for revisions to the proponent. Once the EIS is deemed adequate, it is released for a 30-day public review period along with the technical review comments. Finally, the EIS, technical review comments, and any public comments are submitted to the Minister who decides whether or not to approve the development. A flow chart of this process can be found here.
What goes into a Technical Proposal?
The Technical Proposal that must be submitted to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment and Stewardship Branch requires the following information:
Who makes the decision of whether the project can proceed or not?
If the project is not deemed a Development, the staff at the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment and Stewardship Branch decide if the project requires additional permits.
Should the project be deemed a Development and be required to submit an Environmental Impact Statement, the Minister of Environment makes the final decision at the end of the Environmental Assessment process as to whether the project can proceed or not. The Minister is given all of the technical review comments and the public comments to aid in this decision.
When do the environmental studies occur?
Environmental studies are typically conducted from early Spring through Fall. During the 2018 study season, the following were completed:
The field surveys that will be required in the 2019 season include:
Are there any environmental sensitivities near the proposed site?
Based on the data gathered to date, the environmental sensitivity of the site has been designated as low. Some drainage channels have been observed, but it is believed that this will be advantageous to the project in helping to maintain natural drainage on the site during operation.
Who are the proponents and where are they from?
There are three proponents for this project who, together, form the Pesâkâstêw Solar Limited Partnership. The limited partners are:
How does the partnership between First Nations and the independent power producer work?
The Pesâkâstêw Solar Limited Partnership is a true equity partnership between Natural Forces, and George Gordon Developments Ltd. and Red Dog Holdings Ltd. In this way, the capital required for this project is raised by all three parties. Once the project is in operation, each partner will receive a revenue stream proportional to their investment.
How are Atim-Ka Mikosit - ONEC and WSP involved in the project?
Atim-Ka Mikosit - ONEC are acting in their capacity as the project engineers for the design and construction of the project.
WSP have been hired to conduct the environmental baseline surveys on the project site.
Have you considered the use of local sheep for vegetation control in the project area instead of mowing?
Yes, sheep are being considered for vegetation control around the project area. There are several methods of controlling the vegetation that are currently being assessed through the development phase of the project.
Will there be a maintenance plan for the project? If so, what will it include?
Yes, there will be a maintenance plan in place, which will be part of the larger operations plan. Routine maintenance will be carried out in order to mitigate any issues that may arise.
Largely, this will entail regular on-site inspections of the equipment, including solar panels, electrical connections, inverters, and transformers. Based on these inspections, repairs will be carried out as needed.
Land inspections will also be part of this routine to ensure proper drainage from the site, monitor any erosion, and assess risk of grass fires, which will lead to remediation as required. Cleaning the panels is not planned at this time, however the first year of production will assist in determining if cleaning should be considered as part of the regular maintenance. Depending on the final design, snow removal will be.
How will the site be re-vegetated after construction?
There will be a vegetation management plan as part of the larger operations plan. This plan will take shape as the project progresses, but will include a plan for ground cover beneath the panels. The ground cover will be selected such that minimal maintenance is required and to prevent invasive species. In this way, there are a number of considerations that will go into selecting the ground cover, including shading and moisture availability under the panels, weed removal requirements, native species, and short-growing species.
How will the site be reclaimed after the project is decommissioned?
At the end of the project life, the site will be de-energized and all of the equipment will be dismantled and removed. This will include all surface components as well as subsurface components to a depth of 1 m. At this point we will recycle as many of the materials as possible. The soil and land will be restored to original grade. In consultation with the municipality and landowner, seeding will be carried out to prevent topsoil erosion.
How much property tax will this project supply for the RM of Weyburn?
At this time, the property tax assessment indicates that the project will supply from approximately $28,000 to $47,000 per year in property taxes, as the value of the project will depreciate over time. The assessment is based on the cost of the equipment and structures added to the lands for the project with the exception of the panels themselves.
Will the project produce a lot of noise during operation?
Solar projects hardly emit any noise with the loudest noise being from the transformers. As the project is located directly adjacent to an existing SaskPower owned substation, the background noise levels will far exceed the noise from the project. As such, the project is not expected to create significant increase to the noise levels.
How big is each solar panel/module?
The average size of solar module used in a utility sized solar project is approximately 1 m x 2 m. Together, several solar modules form a solar array. While this will likely be the size of modules used for this project, the design of the project and the specific equipment have not been finalized.
When will the project start producing electricity?
The project is set to be constructed and commissioned by the end of 2020, which will mark the beginning for electricity production on the site.
Do solar panels produce glare? How will this impact nearby houses, traffic, and animals?
Solar panels can produce some glare, but no more than what might be produced from a still pond. It is not expected that this will have much, if any, impact on the surrounding area.
How does the Environmental Assessment process work?
According to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Act, 2018, a solar project of this size is required to submit a Technical Proposal (expanded upon below) to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment and Stewardship Branch (EAB). This is the first step in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The Technical Proposal is then screened by the staff at the Department of Environment to determine if the project is deemed to be a Development under the definition in the Act. A Development is a project deemed to have an effect on unique, rare, or endangered features in the area, use a substantial provincial resource, cause emissions or by-products, cause widespread concern due to potential environmental changes, induce significant environmental change, or have a significant impact on the environment.
If it is determined that the project is not a Development, the project can proceed, however it is still required to secure a number of additional applicable permits and approvals under other departments and government levels.
If it is determined that the project is considered a Development, the proponent is required to conduct an EA and submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This document is reviewed by the Saskatchewan EA Review Panel and the EAB, which, if necessary, provide comments for revisions to the proponent. Once the EIS is deemed adequate, it is released for a 30-day public review period along with the technical review comments. Finally, the EIS, technical review comments, and any public comments are submitted to the Minister who decides whether or not to approve the development. A flow chart of this process can be found here.
What goes into a Technical Proposal?
The Technical Proposal that must be submitted to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment and Stewardship Branch requires the following information:
- Project description
- Description of the biological, physical, and human environmental features of the project site
- Potential impact the project might have on the environmental features and associated mitigation measures
- Monitoring programs to minimize impacts during construction and operation
- Conceptual decommissioning and reclamation plans
- Documentation of stakeholder engagement
- Documentation of First Nation and Métis engagement
Who makes the decision of whether the project can proceed or not?
If the project is not deemed a Development, the staff at the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment and Stewardship Branch decide if the project requires additional permits.
Should the project be deemed a Development and be required to submit an Environmental Impact Statement, the Minister of Environment makes the final decision at the end of the Environmental Assessment process as to whether the project can proceed or not. The Minister is given all of the technical review comments and the public comments to aid in this decision.
When do the environmental studies occur?
Environmental studies are typically conducted from early Spring through Fall. During the 2018 study season, the following were completed:
- Breeding bird surveys
- Fall migratory bird surveys
- Vegetation, wetland, and weed assessments
The field surveys that will be required in the 2019 season include:
- Spring migratory bird surveys (early and mid-Spring)
- Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek surveys (mid to late March and early May)
- Raptor Stick nest survey
- Amphibian auditory survey (early, mid, and late Spring)
- Breeding bird survey to supplement 2018 data
- Short Eared Owl survey
- Common Night Hawk survey
Are there any environmental sensitivities near the proposed site?
Based on the data gathered to date, the environmental sensitivity of the site has been designated as low. Some drainage channels have been observed, but it is believed that this will be advantageous to the project in helping to maintain natural drainage on the site during operation.
Who are the proponents and where are they from?
There are three proponents for this project who, together, form the Pesâkâstêw Solar Limited Partnership. The limited partners are:
- George Gordon Developments Ltd. (GGDL), which is the economic development branch of George Gordon First Nation based in Punnichy, SK. By establishing important business partnerships, GGDL has become a regional First Nation leader in business development. Through these partnerships, GGDL has assembled the capacity and capability to successfully enter high quality bids on major projects related to resource development with renowned North American companies.
- Red Dog Holdings Ltd. (RDHL), which is the economic development branch of Star Blanket Cree Nation based in Fort Qu’Appelle, SK. One of the main goals of RDHL is to develop long term partnerships with companies that have shared values and objectives. RDHL also strives to provide opportunities for sustainable employment, training, wealth creation, and community development.
- Natural Forces, which is a private independent power producer based in Halifax, NS that delivers renewable energy projects in partnership with local communities across Canada. Natural Forces develops, constructs, owns, and operates wind, solar, and hydro projects with First Nation communities, universities, municipalities, and local community funds.
How does the partnership between First Nations and the independent power producer work?
The Pesâkâstêw Solar Limited Partnership is a true equity partnership between Natural Forces, and George Gordon Developments Ltd. and Red Dog Holdings Ltd. In this way, the capital required for this project is raised by all three parties. Once the project is in operation, each partner will receive a revenue stream proportional to their investment.
How are Atim-Ka Mikosit - ONEC and WSP involved in the project?
Atim-Ka Mikosit - ONEC are acting in their capacity as the project engineers for the design and construction of the project.
WSP have been hired to conduct the environmental baseline surveys on the project site.
Have you considered the use of local sheep for vegetation control in the project area instead of mowing?
Yes, sheep are being considered for vegetation control around the project area. There are several methods of controlling the vegetation that are currently being assessed through the development phase of the project.
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Or you can contact us directly: Amy Pellerin, Development Engineer Natural Forces 902-422-9663 apellerin@naturalforces.ca 1801 Hollis Street, Suite 1205 Halifax, NS B3J 3N4 |