Price estimate for Sask.'s refit of coal-fired power plants climbs to $26B

[chuckChuck]

Moe and Harrison shouldn't be afraid to show us the numbers if they are confident this is the best plan. Sask power calls it a high risk plan.

They didn't even take into account the industrial carbon tax that Alberta just agreed to. This will drive the cost of coal much higher.

Rebuilding the coal plants is like rebuilding the steam engines in 1950 when diesel and gas tractors were powering farms.

CCS gas plants are not the same as peaker plants.

And every Levelized Cost of Electricity shows wind and solar as the cheapest new electricity capacity.

On our farm solar cut our electricity costs in half.

Gas for baseload and backup. Inter connections with Alberta and Manitoba. It can work. Instead Moe is picking coal as the winner. WTF? Even after Sask Power told him it is expensive and high risk!

[Grain Farmer]

Cc you are a typical NDP..rather than spending 50 k to fix your tractor you park in the bush and buy a million dollar one.
your yard must be full of junk cars and farm equipment..those kind you can see from the road, and know exactly who they vote for.

[chuckChuck]

So farmers with parked old machinery are all NDPers GF? LOL

Well that's most farms then!

You can always count on GF to come up with some really dumb ideas.



Yes, renewable energy is now cheaper than fossil fuels for new electricity generation in most of the world. According to a 2025 IRENA report over 90% of new renewable projects produce electricity at a lower cost than new coal or gas plants, with solar and wind being significantly cheaper.

Key Cost Factors:

• Declining Costs: Costs for solar and wind have plummeted, making them the most affordable source of new power in many regions.
• Cheaper Alternatives: Solar power is now roughly 41% cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel option, while offshore wind is 53% cheaper.
• Long-Term Savings: In 2024, renewable energy helped avoid over $460 billion in fossil fuel costs globally.
• Newer Infrastructure: While renewable operating costs are low, the initial investment for replacing older, existing fossil fuel plants with new green infrastructure can cause temporary, localized price increases in some regions (like parts of Canada or Australia).
• System Integration: While generation is cheaper, the cost of storing (batteries) and transmitting this energy is a factor in total project costs, though renewables remain competitive even when accounting for these, notes the United Nations

Why Renewables Often Win:

• No Fuel Costs: Sunlight and wind are free, whereas coal and gas prices are volatile.
• Environmental Costs: Fossil fuels often have hidden costs to health and the environment that are not reflected in their price.
• Efficiency Gains: Technological advancements and economies of scale have drastically brought down the cost of renewable technologies.

[Grain Farmer]

Copy and paste more crap that nobody reads.
most farms here are spotless..we take pride in our yards.

[chuckChuck]

What does that have to do with coal plants GF?

Give up!

[Grain Farmer]

What does that have to do with coal plants GF?

Give up!

Maybe go back to your rubber room.

[shtferbrains]

When we shut down producing coal plants here in North America it shorts us on power and causes rates to go up.
Does nothing for net zero goals because somewhere else just increases use.
We don't have enough capacity to shut down usable plants.
Even Carney knows that. He can see what is happening in Germany.

Can you read this chart Chuck?
The whole Net Zero is a failure.
We are going it alone.
82% of the world population is not playing.

[fjlip]

"Can you read this chart Chuck?
The whole Net Zero is a failure.
We are going it alone.

82% of the world population is not playing."

[chuckChuck]

Clean tech is on the rise and investments in clean technology are twice as high as fossil fuels.

Its a long transition and its not going to happen in a few years

[chuckChuck]

Coal is only a small amount of electricity production in Saskatchewan. Coal was shut down in Alberta. Replaced with gas

Clean wind and Hydro are 20% and coal is only 24% in Saskatchewan.

And Moe wants to spend $26 billion or more on outdated technology? Sask Power says this will double will double electricity rates by 2040!

• Natural Gas: 12,426 GWh (47.5% of gross supply)
• Coal: 6,245 GWh (23.9% of gross supply)
• Hydroelectric: 2,769 GWh (10.6% of gross supply)
• Wind: 2,531 GWh (9.7% of gross supply)
• Imports: 1,929 GWh (7.4% of gross supply)