Two new renewable energy projects are coming to south-central Saskatchewan, both through Indigenous-led partnerships.

YouTube video by Greenwood Solutions | Renewables Educator & EPC

Treaty Oak Clean Energy Announces Plans for Catamount Battery Energy Storage System Treaty Oak Clean Energy, a Texas-based company with offices in Austin, has announced its plans to build a Catamount Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a 50-acre lot east of Crosby. The project, which is expected to begin construction in Q3 of 2027

YouTube video by Greenwood Solutions | Renewables Educator & EPC

NextEra Energy Transmission and Exelon have partnered to build a crucial 220-mile, 765-kV transmission line across Pennsylvania and West Virginia, designed to boost the region's electric grid capacity by approximately 7 gigawatts while reducing transmission losses by half. This project utilizes advanced technology to facilitate more efficient power transfer, addressing the energy needs of West Virginia and supporting Pennsylvania's ambitious $92 billion infrastructure plan for new power generation, with a final decision expected from PJM in early 2026.

Pennsylvania residents are facing a significant challenge with rapidly increasing electricity bills, prompting action from Governor Shapiro. A legal complaint was filed against PJM, the regional grid operator, with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in response to this escalating situation. Several interconnected factors are driving up electricity costs. Increased demand for power, fueled by population growth, the shift towards electric vehicles and heating systems, and the expansion of data centers and industry, is placing a strain on the existing system. Pennsylvania's power infrastructure, including crucial wires and substations, is aging and requires costly upgrades that are passed on to consumers. Limited transmission capacity creates bottlenecks, hindering the efficient movement of electricity and contributing to higher prices. The way PJM procures electricity supply, its capacity auction design, is also under scrutiny for creating unnecessary costs. Increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events are inflicting damage to infrastructure, necessitating expensive repairs. Finally, new power plants, particularly renewable energy projects, are experiencing lengthy delays as they wait to connect to the grid. Recent efforts to address the crisis have yielded a settlement with PJM, which includes lowering price caps at the next capacity auction, offering a short-term relief. PJM is also working on reforming its interconnection queue process to expedite the approval and connection of new power plants, though progress remains slow. Utility companies are investing in infrastructure upgrades and hardening power lines to withstand extreme weather. However, local opposition to new power plant projects continues to pose a significant hurdle. It's clear that there's no simple solution to this complex problem. The settlement with PJM offers temporary respite but doesn’s address the underlying issues. A long-term perspective is vital, alongside significant investment in grid modernization and streamlining the interconnection process to overcome the existing “queue” and secure financing and supply chains for new power generation. A comprehensive review of PJM’s operations and electricity procurement methods is needed to ensure cost-effectiveness for Pennsylvania consumers.

Michael Joel-HansenSaskatoon StarPhoenixSaskatchewan First Nations are looking to increase investments in renewable energy projects just as the province