  This paper presents lessons learned to date during the Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from the viewpoint of Saskatchewan power system
operations. A load estimation approach is developed to identify how the
closures affecting businesses, schools, and other non-critical businesses due
to COVID-19 changed the electricity consumption. Furthermore, the impacts of
COVID-19 containment measures and re-opening phases on load uncertainty are
examined. Changes in CO2 emissions resulting from an increased proportion of
renewable energy generation and the change in load pattern are discussed. In
addition, the influence of COVID-19 on the balancing authority's power control
performance is investigated. Analyses conducted in the paper are based upon
data from SaskPower corporation, which is the principal electric utility in
Saskatchewan, Canada. Some recommendations for future power system operation
and planning are developed.
