NIPAWIN HYDROELECTRIC STATION UNIT 3 REBUILD BEGINS

Released on May 27, 2004

Work has begun on a complete rebuild of SaskPower's Nipawin Hydroelectric Station unit 3. This is the second phase in a three-year, $23.4 million overhaul of the station's three turbines and generators.

"Through 75 years of operation, SaskPower has provided its customers with cost-effective and reliable power, and the rebuild of unit 3 is in keeping with this long-standing commitment to the people of Saskatchewan," Minister responsible for SaskPower Frank Quennell said. "With significant rebuilds such as this Nipawin project, SaskPower injects millions of dollars annually into local economies, and provides work for suppliers and contractors across Saskatchewan."

The rebuild, which will be completed in December 2004, will improve station reliability and reduce operating costs. Each unit now has to be taken out of service annually for service; when this project is completed, unit maintenance cycle will be reduced to once every three years. The cost to rebuild unit 3 is expected to be $7.5 million.

Saskatchewan workers are scheduled to perform the majority of the on-site work. Hitachi Canadian Industries Ltd. has been contracted to rebuild the massive turbine runner for unit 3 in its Saskatoon facility. Hitachi performed similar work on a rebuild of Nipawin unit 1, which was completed in November 2003.

Located on the Saskatchewan River just west of Nipawin, the Nipawin Hydroelectric Station's three units have a combined generating capacity of 255 megawatts (MW). The first 85 MW unit was commissioned in 1985, and the two additional 85 MW units were commissioned in 1986.

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For More Information, Contact:

Larry Christie SaskPower Regina Phone: (306) 566-3167