Interties, Load Growth and Nuclear Choices Shape the Week

This week's edition tracks Ottawa's grid-connectivity push, regional capacity pressures, and the cost debate around new nuclear generation.

Robert Ingram Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

National Headlines

Energy minister names five priority power-line projects for federal backing

CBC News, June 27th 2026

Ottawa says it will prioritize federal financial and regulatory support for five intertie projects: Alberta-B.C., Alberta-Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan-Manitoba, P.E.I.-New Brunswick and B.C.-Yukon. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson framed the projects as reliability, affordability and growth measures within Canada's broader goal of doubling electricity supply by 2050.

Canada initiates process to list major projects under the Building Canada Act

Government of Canada, June 24th 2026

The federal government started consultations that could list three projects as national-interest projects: the Mackenzie Valley Highway, Grays Bay Road and Port, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization's deep geological repository. For utilities, the repository decision is the most direct signal, as it supports Canada's long-term nuclear fuel-management pathway.

Regional Roundup

11 Indigenous-led wind-farm proposals to compete for Manitoba Hydro contracts

CBC News, June 24th 2026

Manitoba Hydro has qualified 11 Indigenous-led partnerships to submit proposals for 600 MW of new wind generation by 2035. The projects must connect near eligible substations and proponents are responsible for transmission links. Energy consultants have asked the PUB to scrutinize fixed-rate power purchases and winter capacity value.

SaskPower reports annual loss despite $187M grant from CIC

Global News, June 24th 2026

SaskPower reported a $114-million loss for 2025-26 after a $187-million affordability grant from Crown Investments Corporation. The utility said the result reflected carbon-cost obligations and customer affordability measures. The report also noted $1.8 billion in capital spending to modernize, expand and sustain Saskatchewan's electricity system.

Data centre progress in Alberta set to speed up

Calgary Herald, June 24th 2026

Alberta's data-centre strategy advanced as the AUC approved Greenlight Electricity Centre GP's proposed 1,864-MW gas-fired generation facility in Sturgeon County. The plant is intended to supply provincial power needs and adjacent data centres, while AESO has already seen large prospective load requests tied to advanced computing.

Policy & Pricing

Data centres lead to a surge in Ottawa grid requests

The Globe and Mail, June 26th 2026

Hydro Ottawa says 34 large-load projects are seeking connections totalling 1,075 MW, roughly 86 per cent of the utility's average system load. Data centres account for about 60 per cent of the queue. CEO Bryce Conrad said supply-chain delays and rate-setting constraints are complicating the utility's ability to build at the requested pace.

IESO seeks renewable generator nominee for Technical Panel

IESO, June 25th 2026

Ontario's system operator opened nominations for a Renewable Generator constituency seat on its Technical Panel. The panel advises the IESO board on Market Rule amendments, making the appointment relevant to generator participation, market design and technical-commercial rules as Ontario integrates new resources.

Innovation & Transition

Ontario's proposed nuclear plants could cost nearly $300-billion, study finds

The Globe and Mail, June 26th 2026

A Power Advisory study supplied to The Globe and Mail estimated Ontario's Bruce C and Wesleyville nuclear proposals could cost $221 billion to $294 billion. The analysis compares that with a lower-cost renewable buildout, while noting transmission, system reliability and resource adequacy assumptions shape the comparison.

Seven First Nations sign nuclear reactor ownership deal with Ottawa, Ontario

CBC News, June 23rd 2026

Seven Williams Treaties First Nations are set to take an equity stake in one of four small modular reactors at OPG's Darlington New Nuclear Project. Ottawa and Ontario are providing $700 million in loan guarantees, with the first reactor scheduled for completion in 2030.

Alberta retrofit supply chain report points to grid-demand relief

Pembina Institute, June 25th 2026

A Pembina Institute report argues Alberta can reduce utility costs and electricity-system pressure by scaling whole-building retrofits. The report estimates annual retrofit investment of $2.5 billion could generate $5.8 billion in GDP and 24,000 jobs while reducing demand growth that would otherwise require new generation.

Worth Noting

Yukon welcomes B.C. grid connection support, but winter risks remain. Read More

CBC News, June 29th 2026

Nova Scotia regulator clears bidders for first offshore wind licences. Read More

CBC News, June 28th 2026

Pembina says intertie priorities need funding and negotiation follow-through. Read More

Pembina Institute, June 27th 2026

New Brunswick embraces new nuclear despite NB Power cost caution. Read More

CBC News, June 23rd 2026