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Native groups in Saskatchewan are laying the groundwork for their entry into the wind business by partnering with experienced developers. All Nations Energy Developments Corporation (ANEDC), owned by Cowessess and George Gordon First Nations, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Calgary's TransAlta Corporation to develop a 100 MW wind farm project in the province. "ANEDC has been in discussions with a short-list of wind energy developers for several months to find a partner to develop this project," says Cowessess Chief Gordon Lerat Jr. "We believe that TransAlta's expertise, and approach to partnering with us will be an excellent fit and aligns with our goals." Just a week earlier, the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation announced it has partnered with Toronto's SkyPower to develop the 100 MW Willow Cree Wind Project near the community of Wynyard, in the east-central part of the province. Most of Saskatchewan's 171 MW of wind is owned and operated by SaskPower, the province's government-owned monopoly utility. SaskPower's current supply strategy calls for the addition of 100 MW of wind by 2012. It is currently conducting a wind data study and is planning to develop a wind power deployment strategy in 2009 that will deal with the timing, ownership and procurement process for new wind power projects.