The editor:
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the open house regarding the Iyuhána solar project that was held on the Estevan campus of the Southeast College.
I thank the Mercury for the comprehensive coverage of what was revealed up to this juncture.
Of course, with any relatively new adventure in production and business, there will come a host of questions as things move along.
At this point, I remain a bit curious as to the exact ownership and operations status. It is understood that Iyuhána will be running the show so what element of ownership and/or operations will involve Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure? Where to they fit in the picture? How much have they invested?
This same question can be directed at the expected involvement of Ocean Man and SaskPower. Do they interact and provide funds, leadership and personnel? In other words, what is the base ownership situation? We have been told this is a partnership but more exact details, it appears, are lacking at this stage?
Who purchased the land? How many hectares? Is it waste land? Marginal? Productive?
What independent agencies are engaged in the environmental impact study and statement?
What will be the anticipated overall cost of this project and how will it compare with other SaskPower elements that produce 100 MW of power?
Are subsidies involved?
What is the cost of solar panels? Where in Canada are they being manufactured? What goes into a solar panel? What is the life expectancy? How will they be recycled? Will the construction, operations and maintenance personnel be unionized?
Why is SaskPower assuming a secondary role in such projects as the small nuclear reactors and solar farms? Are they content to merely provide the grid system and leave the future operations of these new generation systems in the hands of private companies or other public entities? If so, what is the operational mandate for Saskatchewan if these corporations are purchased or enter partnerships with other agencies or companies outside Saskatchewan or outside Canada? What if they go bankrupt? Who assumes responsibilities if any of these events happen?
Will the project be subject to recommendations corporate guidelines, or provincially legislated laws?
We know these questions will have answers with some of them already available thanks to the open house and I would think other answers are coming in due course as the project proceeds.
I just believe the provincial public needs to hear all the details as things move along so that nobody or no groups are left behind and wondering, “what happened?” 12 years from now.
All matters should be on the table and subject to review, and if SaskPower is not taking the lead role, then we need to have some assurances from those who are that this project has a solid future. Public disclosure is important as the Iyuhána adventure moves along.
It’s exciting and full of promise and, of course, some of us are full of questions.
Of course some might say some of us are just full of something else too. Oh well, so be it.
Norm Park
Estevan
