SaskPower’s First Microgrid Now Providing Reliable Power to Descharme Lake
May 7, 2025
The Descharme Lake Microgrid, the first independent community power system of its kind in Saskatchewan, is now online.
The microgrid is a custom-built system that combines solar power, battery energy storage and back-up diesel generation to power the northern community of Descharme Lake, which is located approximately 95 kilometres (km) north of La Loche. The system will replace an aging 96-km power line.
Where: Descharme Lake, SK
Fuel source: Solar/Battery/Diesel
Power Capacity: 228 kilowatts (kW) Solar/180 kW Battery/60 kW x 2 (Diesel)
“The Descharme Lake Microgrid will lower maintenance costs and reduce vegetation management requirements while improving reliability for customers year-round and in all weather conditions,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower President and CEO. “Operating this system will also provide us with valuable experience and insight as we consider whether microgrids are an option for other remote locations in our province.”
More than 80% of the power generated by the microgrid on most days will be solar. Excess energy will be stored within the batteries, which can provide about 24 hours of power to the community on one charge. Back-up diesel generation will kick in when battery energy is low.
SaskPower engaged with the local community, which has about 20 residences, and with Rightsholders in making its decision to replace the existing line with a microgrid. The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) was contracted to design and construct the microgrid, and supported stakeholder engagement.
System at a Glance
- It’s an innovative, custom-built system that combines solar power, battery storage, and back-up diesel generation to power the northern community of Descharme Lake all year-round and in all weather conditions.
- The system:
- replaces the aging 96-kilometre power line that previously provided power to around 20 properties in Descharme Lake.
- will be less costly to maintain and will result in less impact to the area’s forest vegetation.
- consists of 474 solar panels, 96 lithium phosphate batteries, and 2 back-up diesel generators.
- will be monitored remotely 24 hours a day. The control panel will transmit signals to let us know how the equipment is running.
- Over 80% of power generated by the microgrid each day will be from the sun. Excess energy will be stored within the batteries, which can provide about 24 hours of power to the community on one charge.
- Back-up diesel generators will kick in only when battery energy is low in the winter; about 8-12 hours every other day.
Learn more at Descharme Lake Microgrid.
