The Role of Institutional Barriers in SaskPower
| dc.contributor.advisor | Phillips, Peter WB | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Phillips, Peter WB | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Boucher, Martin | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Hurlbert, Margot | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Ballantyne, Anne | |
| dc.creator | Rosaasen, Canute A | |
| dc.creator.orcid | 0009-0003-8979-8011 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-08-21T19:33:49Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-08-21T19:33:49Z | |
| dc.date.copyright | 2023 | |
| dc.date.created | 2023-06 | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023-08-21 | |
| dc.date.submitted | June 2023 | |
| dc.date.updated | 2023-08-21T19:33:49Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study examines the decision-making processes and structures relevant to low- and non-emitting generation in Saskatchewan’s regional energy utility, SaskPower. Background: SaskPower is a Crown Corporation responsible for the provision of power in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan electrical grid is among the most carbon intense in Canada. This carbon intensity is of increasing importance as net-zero, coal phase out, and green industry growth become key elements of Canadian energy governance. The history of SaskPower’s interaction with lowering grid emissions presents challenges. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and purchased wind power have made up the bulk of the emissons reducing investments so far, with nuclear, solar, hydro and development of in-house wind generation capacity not playing any significant role. Closer inspection of these generation methods reveals inconsistent approvals, initiatives and efforts to develop each method (i.e. solar programs implemented, and then cut short). The uneven consideration of options raises questions about the decision-making process as SaskPower seeks to develop and implement emissions reducing capacity. Methods: To evaluate these processes and structures, this thesis utilizes an interview series targeted at SaskPower’s executive and management level cadre (n=13, response rate = 7%). Inclusion criteria required that participants were currently employed at SaskPower, or had occupied these positions within the last 5 years. The study investigates potential barriers of institutional interest, institutional structure, and institutional innovation culture. Participant responses were coded according to reflexive thematic analysis. A variety of emergent semantic and latent codes were applied to the data, which were later collapsed into code groups, themes and subthemes. Conclusions The study documents that the SaskPower decision-making arena is the subject of intermittent influence from a variety of actors that may have varying interests and purposes. While SaskPower possesses the necessary structures, innovative pathways, and resources to adapt to catalysts in the decision arena, the fractured nature of the decision-process may be a cause for inconsistent decision-making. Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development framework is a tool that allows clear definition of institutions and rules as they interact with one another, and facilitates exploring nested systems of organizational rules, environment, and responsibilities. Utilizing this framework to explore and unpack the interview series, this thesis asserts that SaskPower is subject to multiple (and at times conflicting) sets of internal rules. The dominant set of rules may change at any given time, resulting in actions that appear inconsistent. This thesis also asserts that the institution of SaskPower exists within an overarching institution, the provincial government, which sometimes influences the choice sets available to actors within SaskPower. | |
| dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10388/14910 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | SaskPower | |
| dc.subject | Low-Emitting Generation | |
| dc.subject | Non-Emitting Generation | |
| dc.subject | Saskatchewan, Institutional Barriers | |
| dc.subject | Green | |
| dc.subject | Greening | |
| dc.subject | Energy | |
| dc.subject | Net-zero | |
| dc.subject | Canada | |
| dc.subject | Crown Corporation | |
| dc.subject | Utilities | |
| dc.subject | Electricity | |
| dc.title | The Role of Institutional Barriers in SaskPower | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| dc.type.material | text | |
| thesis.degree.department | Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Public Policy | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of Saskatchewan | |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) |