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SaskPower, Saskatchewan's publicly owned monopoly utility, is working with private developers to participate in a wind data study designed to help determine the benefit of building future wind facilities in geographically diverse regions around the Canadian province. The region currently has 172 MW of wind power and has been working to understand how to deal with the operational changes that come with wind's variability. "As we gain knowledge about the best way to incorporate fluctuating wind generation into the provincial electrical system, we will be able to make decisions on how much more wind generation can be added," says the utility's Gary Wilkinson. SaskPower is planning to develop a wind power deployment strategy in 2009 that will address the timing, ownership and procurement process for new wind power projects. The government-owned utility is facing the need to replace aging equipment and meet ever-increasing demand on its largely fossil fuel-fired system. "Our ongoing commitment to wind power will help meet the growing demand for electricity in a way that ensures we meet our targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve the environment for future generations," says Ken Cheveldayoff, the government minister that oversees SaskPower.