The new Moose Jaw natural gas power plant being built by SaskPower is entering its next phase.

The Crown Corporation says they have entered the request for proposal phase after receiving approval from the ministry of environment and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency back in 2019.

In a news release, SaskPower President and CEO Mike Marsh says the future Moose Jaw power station will be an important part of the province’s plans to meet the growing demand for power in Saskatchewan while supporting renewable energy such as wind and solar.

During construction, the 350-megawatt facility will employ roughly 230 workers per year, with peak employment reaching 500 workers.

The new plant is expected to come online in 2024, and will generate enough electricity to power a city the size of Saskatoon, which in turn will create 25 full-time jobs.