Alberta halts large renewable energy project approvals
The province says municipalities and landowners are concerned about the rapid pace of development.
Travers Solar in Alberta is one of Canada’s largest solar farms. – Greengate Power
Key Takeaways:
- Approvals of new renewable electricity generation projects over one megawatt are paused until Feb. 29, 2024.
- The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) stated that it has received complaints that these projects are proceeding too rapidly.
- The AUC plans to review the use of agricultural land and public land for wind and solar projects, land reclamation and the role of municipal governments in land selection.
The Whole Story:
Alberta is halting approvals of new renewable energy projects.
Provincial officials announced that starting Aug. 3, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) will pause approvals of new renewable electricity generation projects over one megawatt until Feb. 29, 2024, and review policies and procedures for the development of renewable electricity generation.
The AUC is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that is responsible for the approval of Alberta’s electricity generation projects.
The province explained that this approach is in direct response to a letter received from the AUC and concerns raised from municipalities and landowners related to responsible land use and the rapid pace of renewables development.
They argued that at the end of this process, future renewable projects will be able to move forward at a pace that is “conducive to business” while maintaining responsible environmental standards.
“Participants in our public hearings have increasingly raised concerns about the impacts and pace of renewable generation development,” said Carolyn Dahl Rees, AUC chair. “We are pleased to support the government in canvassing relevant issues for its development of policy to ensure the economic, orderly and efficient development of electricity generation in Alberta.”
Officials noted that throughout the process, Albertans will still be able to install renewable energy products in their homes and communities will be unaffected by this process.
The AUC inquiry will include reviewing the use of agricultural land and public land for wind and solar projects, land reclamation and the role of municipal governments in land selection for project development and review.
More specifically, the inquiry will inform government policy decisions around the ongoing economic, orderly and efficient development of electricity generation in Alberta and will look at issues, including:
- Development of power plants on specific types or classes of agricultural or environmental land.
- The impact of power plant development on Alberta’s pristine viewscapes.
- Mandatory reclamation security requirements for power plants.
- Development of power plants on lands held by the Crown.
- The impact of the increasing growth of renewables on Alberta’s generation supply mix and electricity system reliability.
