Founded in 1906, Saskatoon Light & Power distributes electrical services to citizens and businesses of the Saskatoon area that lies roughly within the 1958 boundary. The Utility is also responsible for the street lighting system for the City of Saskatoon.

Power is purchased from the Crown Utility, SaskPower, at high voltages and then distributed through substations, distribution lines and transformers to its customers.

Did you know that Saskatoon Light & Power:

The municipal electric utility was started in 1906 with a small generating plant of 225 kilowatts located on the river bank at Avenue H and 11th Street West. Initially, service was only provided at night for lighting purposes, but by 1908, 24-hour service was available.

Extremely rapid growth in demand for electricity forced the City to construct a new coal fired thermal generating plant at Avenue A, south of 19th Street, in 1911. Further plant expansions brought generating capacity to 10,000 kilowatts by 1919. At this time, power was generated and distributed at 2,300 volts, two phase, 60 Hertz (cycles per second).

In 1928, the City sold its power plant to the Saskatchewan Power Commission, and the plant, which was a single source of supply to the City, was upgraded to 14,400 volts. The City obtained additional supply at 72,000 volts from the Queen Elizabeth Power Station in 1959, and 138,000 volts in 1982.

Gradual conversion of the City's two phase 2,300 volt distribution and loads continued from the 1930's until 1972, when the conversion to standard three phase was complete.

In 2000, Saskatoon Light & Power completed its conversion of the 72,000 volt transmission line, that roughly forms a ring around the City, and related substations, to 138,000 volts.  The conversion occurred over a ten year period and involved the rebuilding of five substations, the building of three new substations, and the replacing of the existing wood pole transmission line, in sections, with a steel pole transmission line.

Saskatoon Light & Power receives all of its electricity from SaskPower with four 138,000 volt interconnections at their Queen Elizabeth Power Station and one 138,000 volt interconnection in Forest Grove east of the Forestry Farm Park. Twenty-three substations and a downtown secondary network system transform the voltages down to 25,000, 14,400 and 4,160 for further distribution.

Approximately 59,000 consumers are served within the municipal utility's 69 square kilometer service area. Annual energy consumption is about 1081 GWH (gigawatthours) and the peak summer load is about 206 megawatts.

Street lighting is provided by approximately 20,000 energy-efficient high pressure sodium fixtures. Saskatoon Light & Power provides special decorations and decorative lighting on twelve main thoroughfares and bridges within the City during the Christmas season.

Saskatoon Light & Power staffing of approximately 143 employees are involved in Administration, System Planning, Construction and Operation. Utility meter reading and bill collection services common to Electrical, Water and Sewer Utilities are provided by the Finance Branch, Corporate Services Department of the City.

In December of 2004, City Council approved a name change for the Electric Utility to Saskatoon Light & Power.  The name was officially launched on May 2, 2005 with His Worship Mayor Don Atchison officiating at the unveiling of the new name and logo at 322 Brand Road.

Saskatoon Light & Power / 322 Brand Road / Saskatoon, Saskatchewan / S7K 0J5 / email Saskatoon Light & Power