Fundamentally, the scope was simple: build ~25 km of three-phase line and install a transformer to serve a new customer. However, this isn’t just any ordinary customer; it’s the construction site of SaskPower’s new 370 MW natural gas power plant. Aspen’s in-service date is Spring 2028, and Minister Don Morgan estimates the price tag will be $850 million. Customer service is always important, but when 370,000 homes depend on a project for their power, it becomes critical.

Extra steps taken as design lead to make Aspen Power Plant a success:

• Revision of the initial proposed route: We changed the route from backroads to Highway 16. This minimized environmental impact, benefitted more customers. It also improved reliability and made the design safer to build and maintain by reducing the number of transmission crossings.
• Evaluated the 25 kV line’s impact on reliability: We assessed how connecting to alternate energy sources could mitigate the risk of a blackstart.
• Collaboration with SaskEnergy: We ensured the new powerline did not conflict with the right of way for the new gas line feeding the power plant.
• Enhanced safety through collaboration: We synergized the new line construction with the addition of street lighting at a critical Highway 16 intersection. At peak construction, 750 people are expected to be onsite. Once in service, regular maintenance will likely require up to 200 people on site for short periods.
• Submission to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada: I outlined the benefits of this scope to the project team submitting the report for review.

Our team balanced attention to detail with efficiency, as all of this work was on the project’s critical path. A delay in our work would have meant a delay to the in-service date. Despite the pressure, we remained committed to staying on schedule—not just for our task, but for the big picture. This meant avoiding shortcuts in design that might save hours but would cost days during construction.