Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
GRIFFIN – The Enbridge Seven Stars Energy Project has hit a snag.
Half of the 200 megawatt wind project, 23 of a total of 46 wind turbines, are planned for the RM of Weyburn. The remaining half, another 23 turbines, are slated for the neighbouring RM of Griffin
And while the RM of Weyburn had recently approved a development permit, the same application is now stalled with the RM of Griffin.
Enbridge is the lead proponent of the project, with six First Nations and Indigenous organizations a partners (thus “Seven Stars.”). The project is expected to have a total cost in excess of a half billion dollars.
Six Indigenous bands and organizations that are part of the “Seven Stars.” They include:
- Cowessess First Nation
- George Gordon First Nation
- Kahkewistahaw First Nation
- Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
- Pasqua First Nation
- White Bear First Nations
The RM held a public hearing on Jan. 8 with regards to the permit.
On Jan. 28, the RM issued this press release:
Council for the Rural Municipality of Griffin has completed an initial review of the Development Permit Application submitted in November, 2025 for the proposed Seven Stars Energy Project.
Council has determined that the application is incomplete, as it does not currently include the required environmental documentation. As a result, Council is not in a position to approve the application or proceed with further review at this time.
Council emphasizes that this decision is procedural in nature and does not represent a determination on the merits of the proposed project.
Pipeline Online spoke to the RM administrator on Jan. 30, but all questions were referred back to the statement in the press release. The reeve was unavailable to be reached at the time.
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On Jan. 31, Enbridge sent the following statement by email:
Enbridge acknowledges the time and thoughtful deliberation of the RM of Griffin Council in evaluating our development permit application for the proposed Seven Stars Energy Project.
Municipal approvals are a first step in a rigorous regulatory process that includes submission of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for provincial review, which we expect to file in early 2026. The EIS will include a robust strategy to avoid, mitigate or minimize potential environmental impacts, follow-up monitoring to validate its conclusions, and adaptive measures. Federal agency approvals and a final investment decision by Enbridge are also required before construction could commence.
Enbridge and our Indigenous partners remain excited about the potential of the Seven Stars Energy Project to contribute positively to the RM of Griffin over the long term. To construct the project, we expect an average workforce of 100 with labour spending of approximately $75 million, including $20 million to $40 million in local contracting opportunities. We’ve committed to avoiding camps for construction of the project, so workers would be staying and spending locally, creating additional economic benefit.
Over 30 years, the project is expected to bring more than $100 million – up to $4 million annually – to the Weyburn region. This includes tax revenue the RM can utilize, as well as rural road upgrades, landowner lease payments, contract maintenance of an Enbridge office and warehouse, and financial support of $50,000 annually for community-driven programs and initiatives in consultation with the RMs.
As a company that’s been operating collaboratively with Saskatchewan communities for more than 75 years, Enbridge looks forward to the opportunity to build a project that aligns with local bylaws, values and priorities and that residents of the RM of Griffin can be proud of.
As one example, Seven Stars will operate with a 1.5-km residential turbine setback, one of the most stringent standards of its kind. This ’buffer zone‘ significantly reduces potential impacts related to noise, visual presence and shadow flicker. Regarding the latter, early results indicate residences are expected to experience far less than the industry best practice of 30 hours per year of shadow flicker.
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- 0105 SaskEnergy Commitment to Safety0105 SaskEnergy Commitment to Safety
- 0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended
- 0100 Turnbull Project Manager0100 Turnbull Project Manager
- 0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
- 0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD0097 Eagle Sky Ventures LTD
- 0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
- 0092 Turnbull projects big and small0092 Turnbull projects big and small
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan Teaser
- 0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech0077 Caprice Resources Stand Up For Free Speech
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
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