Jeremy Harrison, MLA for Meadow Lake, addresses the crowd during the official opening of the Meadow Lake Co-op Centre on June 24, 2025. (file photo/meadowlakeNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

INFRASTRUCTURE

Catching up with MLA Jeremy Harrison: New Meadow Lake power station could reshape future in the Northwest

Nov 27, 2025 | 2:52 PM

SaskPower’s plan to replace Meadow Lake’s aging natural-gas power station with a larger 55-megawatt facility is being positioned as a major reliability boost for Northwest Saskatchewan, according to the minister responsible for the Crown utility.

The corporation has begun public engagement on the project, which would retire the existing 41-MW plant that has reached the end of its operating life.

Jeremy Harrison, the MLA for Meadow Lake and the minister responsible for SaskPower, said the current station’s age and the region’s rising energy needs make the replacement necessary.

“It’s been in operation now for over 40 years,” he said, adding the province is looking at “not just replacing that power station, but actually increasing the capacity to power future growth in Northwest Saskatchewan, in addition to the current demand that exists.”

He said the project would represent likely over $200 million in investment.

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The current Meadow Lake Power Station is shown in this photo. SaskPower says the aging 41-megawatt facility will remain in operation until a new 55-megawatt gas plant is completed, expected by 2029. (Photo/SaskPower)

New technology aims to speed up construction

SaskPower plans to use Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) technology, which it says allows for faster construction and more flexible, on-demand power.

Harrison said the decision partly reflects global delays in sourcing natural-gas turbines.

“One of the major constraints… are very long lead times on turbines,” he said. The RICE approach, he added, enables SaskPower “to move more rapidly” than it could with simple-cycle or combined-cycle turbine systems.

The Crown has secured two land options near the existing site. If the project proceeds, SaskPower says the new facility could be operating as early as 2029.

The orange-shaded areas show the potential sites SaskPower is assessing for a new 55-megawatt natural-gas power station near Meadow Lake. (SaskPower/website)

Fits into long-term provincial plan

The minister said the Meadow Lake project is one piece of Saskatchewan’s broader 50-year energy security strategy. That plan blends natural gas, hydro, coal, wind, solar and future nuclear development.

Harrison described it as an “all of the above approach,” meant to use every resource available in the province. He said the long-term direction is “transitioning to nuclear… but taking an all of the above approach on power generation” in the meantime.

“Because that’s what makes sense for Saskatchewan.”

He also pointed to expected expansion in mining and uranium development, saying there are “really, really incredible opportunities for further development in Northwest Saskatchewan.”

“Particularly in that uranium sector, which has been so important for our province, and of which there is a remarkably positive future with nuclear build-outs right around the world, in the United States and right here in Saskatchewan.”

Major future shift: connecting the grids

Harrison said another key part of the province’s plan is linking Saskatchewan’s currently separate northern and southern power grids — something he noted many residents may not realize.

“The northern and southern power grids in Saskatchewan are actually not connected. We rely on power wheeling through Manitoba to move power into northern Saskatchewan.”

He said the province is committed to building a north–south interconnect and eventually a power loop across northern communities.

According to Harrison, this would improve reliability and support larger industrial users in the north.

Early support from local leadership

The minister said SaskPower’s early conversations with local governments and First Nations leadership have been encouraging.

He called the reaction “very enthusiastic” and said he expects “overwhelming support” through the engagement period.

“We’re going to give an opportunity for important feedback. I anticipate that we’re not just going to have significant support, but really overwhelming support for moving forward.”

A public open house is set for Dec. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Co-op Centre’s Legacy Room.

On a personal note

Harrison, who grew up in Meadow Lake, said seeing long-term infrastructure take shape in his home region is meaningful.

“It’s kind of why you do the job, right? Making positive contributions.”

Such projects, he added, help “create the conditions for young people to stay in Northwest Saskatchewan and make their life and raise their families.”

“A lot of my friends had to leave Saskatchewan because there weren’t opportunities [in the period of the late 90s and early 2000]. They had to move to Alberta or Ontario to find opportunities, and really what we have endeavoured to do as a government is to change all that, so young people can stay home.”

SaskPower says the existing station will remain in service until the replacement facility is fully operational.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com