ICED Rural 2025: How Southeast Saskatchewan Is Reimagining Energy & Innovation

Last week I attended the ICED Rural 2025 Conference in Estevan, SK, and I left feeling both inspired and optimistic about the future of Southeast Saskatchewan. Hosted at Affinity Place, the event brought together community leaders, industry experts, educators, and innovators to talk about one of the most important topics of our time — energy.

What stood out most to me was how Estevan is no longer waiting for others to decide its future. This is a community actively looking for solutions. From carbon capture at Boundary Dam to exploring nuclear power and even turning local coal into graphite for batteries, Estevan is building a roadmap that could anchor new industries, create jobs, and position us as leaders in energy innovation.

The nuclear conversation was a highlight. Demand for power is expected to double — even triple — by 2050, and small modular reactors are being considered as part of the solution. Beyond providing clean, reliable energy, they could spark new opportunities in construction, steel, engineering, and skilled trades. Speakers emphasized the importance of preparing our workforce now, starting with education in high schools and post-secondary programs. It was refreshing to hear such a clear commitment to keeping jobs local and growing our own talent.

Another exciting area is the work being done to convert Estevan’s lignite coal into high-purity graphite — a key ingredient in lithium batteries. With global supply shortages looming, this could be transformative. Instead of closing mines and losing jobs, there’s potential to create a whole new value chain, possibly even attracting battery manufacturers and auto companies to the region. The idea of seeing Southeast Saskatchewan become part of the clean-tech supply chain is incredibly exciting.

Renewables were also part of the discussion, with Enbridge, White Bear First Nation, and Flying Dust First Nation sharing their wind and solar projects. These initiatives not only diversify our energy mix but also highlight the leadership of Indigenous communities in building resilient, forward-thinking economies.

For me, the conference underscored that Estevan and Southeast Saskatchewan are on the cusp of something big. Energy has always been tied to our identity and economy, but what I saw at ICED is a region determined to reimagine what that looks like for the next generation. Whether it’s nuclear, renewables, carbon capture, or graphite, the message was clear: the future of energy — and the opportunities it brings — can and should happen right here.

I left the conference feeling proud of where we’re headed and hopeful for what’s to come.