SaskPower has completed a C$275m (US$200m) refurbishment of the E.B. Campbell Hydroelectric Station in Saskatchewan, Canada, extending the facility’s operating life by at least 50 years.
The multi-year project, which began in 2021, included upgrades to turbines, generators and intake systems at the 294 W plant. SaskPower said the work will improve efficiency and reliability while enabling the station to generate more electricity from the same volume of water.
“This refurbishment will allow E.B. Campbell to continue generating power for at least another 50 years, while improving efficiency and reliability,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister Responsible for SaskPower. “This will allow SaskPower to continue to access up to 294MW of hydro power at a fraction of the cost of building a new facility.”
According to SaskPower, constructing a new hydroelectric plant with equivalent capacity would cost about C$4bn under current estimates.
“Investments like the E.B. Campbell refurbishment are an important part of SaskPower’s plan to ensure a reliable power system for the future,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO. “The project also delivered economic benefits, including approximately $13.7m in Indigenous and local employment and procurement opportunities.”
Located on the Saskatchewan River northeast of Nipawin, E.B. Campbell began commercial operation in 1963. It is SaskPower’s largest hydroelectric generating station and produces enough electricity to supply up to 250,000 homes. SaskPower said the refurbishment supports the provincial government’s Saskatchewan First Energy Security Strategy and Supply Plan, under which the utility is investing in infrastructure to maintain reliability while working toward a net-zero electricity grid by 2050
