NDP wants SaskPower rate review to be scrapped due to $26B coal refurbishment

The NDP is urging the province’s rate review panel to restart its SaskPower rate increase review, citing concerns over transparency and political interference.

Considering the $26 billion price tag for renewing coal-fired plants, the Official Opposition is calling for the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel to scrap and restart its review of SaskPower’s rate hike application.

• Saskatchewan’s plan to extend life of coal power to cost $26B over 25 years: NDP

The NDP argues that the increased costs for renewing coal plants weren’t meaningfully disclosed to the panel as it’s set to review SaskPower’s application.

Friday, May 29 is the independent review panel’s deadline for all submissions.

“The public is being asked to comment on SaskPower’s future without being provided the actual plan,” said NDP MLA Aleana Young.

“This was not a transparent rate application. It was a politically calculated exercise designed to keep tens of billions of dollars and enormous long-term risks out of sight of families, farms, and businesses.”

• NDP echoes concerns from consumers, industry about SaskPower rate increase

Young also called for the review process to be suspended and recommended expanded public consultation.

In February, SaskPower implemented a 3.9 per cent power rate increase on an interim basis, with plans to implement another 3.9 per cent hike in 2027 – though the increases are still subject to the panel’s review.

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This year’s increase will cost the average Saskatchewan residential taxpayer an extra $5 per month and farm customers an extra $11 per month.

In 2025, the province announced its intention to extend the life of coal-fired plants until 2050, which was originally estimated to cost $900 million.

• Saskatchewan government planning to extend lifetimes of coal-fired power plants

However, SaskPower revealed the costs for the renewal had shot up to $2.6 billion in its written submission to the panel.

In May, the NDP presented leaked SaskPower documents indicating the decision would cost an estimated $26 billion over the next five years.

In a written letter to Albert Johnson, chair of the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel, Young said the review process itself has been compromised.

• Costs for refurbishing Sask. coal power plants estimated at $2.6 billion

“Equally troubling is the omission of the government’s own policy direction. SaskPower’s internal materials reportedly characterized the coal refurbishment pathway as carrying high financial, reliability, and regulatory risk, yet none of this context is meaningfully reflected in the application before the Panel,” Young wrote.

• SaskPower rates could see stiff increases over the next 20 years, leaked memo says

In a statement to CTV News, the province reaffirmed the SRRP’s status as an independent body and said it uses a variety of tools to provide recommendations including public feedback and consultation.

“The panel assesses the fairness and reasonableness of rate increases brought forward by balancing the interests of customers, the public, and the Crown corporations,” the statement read.

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“The work the panel does ensures transparency and accountability while ultimately providing recommendations to the provincial Cabinet.”

The province also maintained that any decisions on rates will be based on affordability and reliability.