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Marsh said SaskPower has entered into a 100-megawatt contract with Manitoba Hydro, while a second, for 215 megawatts, will start in “a couple of years.”

Duncan said those contracts were signed because a growing province needs more power, and federal policy makes hydro among the most attractive ways of getting it.

“Obviously we have an interest, particularly now as that federal carbon tax is imposed on all of our generation, in any opportunity that we can add, essentially, generation that is carbon-tax free,” he said. “That’s a positive.

The study also suggests that the link could help the two provinces “transition to a sustainable non-emitting electricity portfolio in the region.” It specifically mentions the possibility of “wind synergy.”

SaskPower has a target of reducing its emissions by 40 per cent by 2030. It also has to comply with an accelerated federal phase-out of coal-fired generation that will shut down what was once its biggest source of power.

With two Boundary Dam units set to go off-line in 2021 and 2024, Duncan hopes the existing contracts with Manitoba can help fill the gap.

The 1,000-megawatt proposal is on a much larger scale, and much further down the road.

The joint study makes clear that the 1,000-megawatt connection would have to come in two stages, at least under the most cost-effective scenario.

“It is an option, obviously,” said Duncan. “SaskPower is going to consider it and make that evaluation. We’re looking at it.”

The Saskatchewan government is floating a variety of options to transition away from high-emission generation as it moves beyond 2030. Duncan has previously said small modular nuclear reactors could help the province get to net-zero emissions in electricity generation by 2050.

Although 1,000 megawatts is sufficient to power virtually every home in Saskatchewan, SaskPower also supplies a great deal of electricity to industrial and commercial customers.

SaskPower’s summer peak power demand as of the 2018-19 annual report was 3,524 megawatts.

awhite-crummey@postmedia.com