First Nations secure equal stake in a major Saskatchewan solar farm

Four Treaty 4 First Nations will jointly own 50% of the 100-megawatt Mino Giizis solar project being developed with Neoen Canada near Lajord, Saskatchewan, under a 25-year power purchase agreement with SaskPower; the facility is expected to begin operation in 2028 and produce about 228,000 MWh annually.

Four Treaty 4 First Nations have agreed to jointly own half of a planned 100-megawatt solar farm near Regina. The nations partnered with Neoen Canada to develop the Mino Giizis project in the rural municipality of Lajord. The decision builds on local experience with community solar and follows concerns about reliance on outside power after recent outages. The nations will participate together under the Anishinabek Power Alliance. Key details: - The four Nations — Kinistin Saulteaux, Zagime Anishinabek, Key and Cote — will collectively hold a 50% ownership stake and share equal voting power on the project's board. - Neoen Canada will hold the other 50% and will manage permitting, construction and operations for the project. - The 100-megawatt Mino Giizis facility is expected to produce about 228,000 megawatt-hours a year, roughly enough to supply 30,000 homes, and is projected to begin operation in 2028. - Partners have signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with SaskPower to buy the electricity generated by the farm. - Financing is expected to include support from the Canada Infrastructure Bank and one or two private lenders, while the nations will contribute equity; total project cost and contract value were not disclosed. Summary: The ownership arrangement gives the Nations an equal governance role alongside the developer and is described by leaders as a move beyond token involvement toward shared benefits such as training, jobs and procurement. Neoen and the partner Nations have discussed local hiring and training programs and are working on permitting, financing and construction plans ahead of the planned 2028 start date.