SaskEnergy releases annual report, CEO Doug Kelln retiring

SaskEnergy released its annual report on Tuesday.

The 2015-16 annual report covers a 15-month period, ending on March 31, 2016. SaskEnergy said income for that period "before unrealized market value adjustments was $135 million".

The Crown corporation said it added 6,000 new customers since 2014. SaskEnergy now serves nearly 387,000 customers.

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Spending on safety was a priority, according to SaskEnergy. In 2015-16, $107.5 million was spent on increasing safety throughout its buried infrastructure. It includes "continued system remediation efforts" in areas with possible slope movement.

"SaskEnergy provides the vital energy infrastructure needed by new customers while also maintaining the highest safety standards for natural gas service to our homes, businesses and industry," Jim Reiter, minister responsible for SaskEnergy, said in a news release.

"At a time when pipeline companies are facing high safety expectations from the public and regulators, SaskEnergy continues to develop processes and procedures that meet or exceed evolving industry best practices."

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The Crown corporation said it achieved its best-ever employee safety performance in 2015.

SaskEnergy said it also continued to focus on cost efficiencies. In 2015, nearly $6 million was saved, "bringing total savings in this area to $38 million" in the past seven years.

Find the full 2015-16 annual report here.

SaskEnergy president and CEO retiring

Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall announced on Tuesday Doug Kelln, SaskEnergy president and CEO, will retiring in January 2017.

Kelln was appointed to the role in 2004.

In a news release, Wall said thanked Kelln for his years of work within the province's Crown corporations.

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"Under Doug Kelln, SaskEnergy has become an industry leader in safety, an innovator in service delivery, and a vital part of the solid foundation upon which our growing economy has been built," Wall said. "Doug's legacy is a responsive, efficient and reliable utility its customers can count on."

SaskEnergy said it expects to announce a new president and CEO later this year.