Enbridge, First Nations Partner for Saskatchewan Wind Project

Enbridge, Métis, and a group of First Nations have partnered to develop the Seven Stars Energy Project, a wind energy project designed to produce 200 megawatts (MW) of power in Southern Saskatchewan. 

Targeted to be operational in 2027, the Seven Stars Energy Project is centered in a 77.2-square-mile (200-square-kilometer) area of southern Saskatchewan, southeast of the city of Weyburn, Enbridge said in a news release.

A new entity, Six Nations Energy Development Limited Partnership, was created to steward investment in the project. Enbridge will develop, build and operate the project with the support of Indigenous partners, including Cowessess First Nation, George Gordon First Nation, Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Pasqua First Nation, and White Bear First Nation.

“This is Enbridge’s first Indigenous partnership focused on wind energy generation and our first Indigenous partnership in Saskatchewan,” Enbridge Executive Vice President Matthew Akman said. “Partnerships of this nature are increasingly important in North America’s energy future and we're very proud to be one of the seven stars who will be advancing this important renewable project”.

The financial participation of the Indigenous partners will be supported, in part, by loan guarantees of up to $100 million from the Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation (SIIFC). The First Nation and Métis partners have an opportunity to acquire equity ownership of at least 30 percent in the project, according to the release.

"We are pleased to support this historic announcement by providing loan guarantees through SIIFC which will benefit nearly 25 percent of Saskatchewan's Indigenous population,” Saskatchewan Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "This project will significantly advance economic reconciliation in our province, which is a priority for our government and vital for the province's continued growth and prosperity”.

“This is a game-changer for the Indigenous Nations, Métis and First Nations,” Pasqua First Nation Chief Matthew Peigan said. “This project will provide a stable source of revenue that will benefit our people for many years to come. We are pleased Enbridge sees that meaningful Indigenous ownership is the way to build energy infrastructure in this country and we look forward to developing this Project together”.

Enbridge and its partners will focus on finalizing commercial agreements and securing environmental and regulatory approvals. Targeting to make a final investment decision in 2025, the company noted.

"Enbridge has proudly and safely operated in Saskatchewan for more than 75 years and we have a long history of working closely with the province, local communities and First Nations and Métis peoples," Enbridge Executive Vice President Colin Gruending stated. "We see Indigenous economic participation in our projects and operations as an important element of broader reconciliation and applaud the Government of Saskatchewan for establishing the SIIFC, which has helped make this investment opportunity possible for our new Indigenous partners”.

"Partnerships like this take commitment, creativity and ultimately a leap of faith," Six Nations Energy Development LP President Jake Sinclair remarked. "I am proud of our team who have leaned-in with Enbridge on the ultimate goal of delivering a sustainable project that provides both energy to Saskatchewan and strong financial returns for Enbridge and the First Nations and Métis partners for many years to come”.

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