Government of Canada Supports Nine Job-Creating Indigenous-Led Solar Energy Projects in Alberta With Over $160 Million in Federal Investments

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced funding for nine projects across Alberta that will create good jobs while producing and storing clean electricity. These Indigenous-led solar energy and battery storage projects are a critical part of Canada’s energy future, which includes a growing clean energy industry. 

According to the Canada Energy Regulator’s report Canada’s Energy Future 2023: Energy Supply and Demand Projections to 2050, clean power will play a major role in a net-zero economy. By investing in today’s solar and battery storage projects, the Government of Canada is continuing to collaboratively deliver affordable and reliable power to Albertans while advancing toward a sustainable and prosperous future.

Funding for these projects was provided through The Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs). This program is investing up to $1.56 billion over eight years for smart renewable energy and electrical grid modernization projects. This program will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging the replacement of fossil-fuel generated electricity with smart renewable energy and storage projects that also provide essential grid services while supporting Canada’s equitable transition to an electrified economy.

Michichi Solar L.P. 
Recipient: Michichi Solar L.P.
Project location: Starland County, Alberta 
Funding from SREPs: $32,126,013 
Project summary: The Michichi Solar Project, in partnership with the Sawridge First Nation (A Cree people that are in the original signatory to Treaty No. 8) and Capstone Infrastructure Corporation, is a 25-megawatt (MW) solar farm located in Starland County, Alberta. The project will deploy renewable energy and grid modernization technologies to support clean energy to the Alberta electricity grid, reducing GHG emissions by approximately 21,745 tonnes of CO2e a year, the equivalent of 6,662 gas-powered cars off the road. The project will also provide the opportunity for distribution grid operators and researchers to analyze, integrate and further develop similar technologies to meet grid demands, allowing for greater penetration of solar power in rural Indigenous communities and other underserviced areas with weak grids. Michichi Solar will create an estimate of up to 120 jobs and generate enough emissions-free energy for more than 6,000 Alberta homes annually.

Kneehill Solar L.P. 
Recipient: Kneehill Solar L.P.
Project location: Three Hills, Alberta
Funding from SREPs: $31,660,533
Project summary: The Kneehill Solar Project, in partnership with Sawridge First Nation (a Cree people that are in the original signatory to Treaty No. 8) and Capstone Infrastructure Corporation, is a 25-MW solar farm located near Three Hills, Alberta. The project will deploy renewable energy and grid modernization technologies to support clean energy to the Alberta electricity grid. The project will also increase renewable energy capacity and grid services in Alberta reducing GHG emissions by approximately 21,446 tonnes of CO2e a year, the equivalent of 6,570 gas-powered cars off the road, while supporting an equitable transition to low-carbon economy, Indigenous ownership and encouraging market adoption of similar technologies. Kneehill Solar will create an estimate of up to 120 jobs and generate enough electricity to power more than 6,000 average Alberta homes.

Concord Monarch Partnership
Recipient: Concord Monarch Partnership
Project location: Monarch, Alberta
Funding from SREPs: $15,289,001
Project summary: The Concord Monarch solar project, in partnership with ACFN Green Energy L.P (wholly owned by Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation) and Concord Green Energy Holdings Ltd., will deploy a 15 MW/34 MWh battery energy storage system on the site of existing solar arrays. This project will increase renewable energy capacity and grid services in Alberta and will create new employment opportunities during construction and operations, with an estimate of up to 36 jobs. 

Concord Vulcan Partnership
Recipient: Concord Vulcan Partnership
Project location: Vulcan, Alberta
Funding from SREPs: $15,289,001
Project summary: The Concord Vulcan solar project, in partnership with ACFN Green Energy L.P (wholly owned by Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation) and Concord Green Energy Holdings Ltd., will deploy a 15MW/34 MWh battery energy storage system on the site of existing solar arrays. This project will increase renewable energy capacity and grid services in Alberta and will create new employment opportunities during construction and operations with an estimate of up to 36 jobs.

Concord Coaldale Partnership
Recipient: Concord Coaldale Partnership
Project location: Coaldale, Alberta
Funding from SREPs: $15,289,001
Project summary: The Concord Coaldale solar project, in partnership with ACFN Green Energy L.P (wholly owned by Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation) and Concord Green Energy Holdings Ltd., will deploy a 15 MW/34 MWh battery energy storage system on the site of existing solar arrays. This project will increase renewable energy capacity and grid services in Alberta and will create new employment opportunities during construction and operations with an estimate of up to 36 jobs.

Net income from all three of the Concord ACFN Partnership projects will be divided equally between the two partners. ACFN will use its share based on direction and input from Elders and members to fund affordable housing initiatives, member job training on green energy systems, expansion of ACFN’s residential off-grid solar program and contributions towards the 3NE Sustainable Food Production Centre addressing food security in Fort Chipewyan. 

MNPA Incorporated Partnership
Recipient: Métis Nation Power Authority (MNPA) Incorporated Partnership
Project location: Métis Nation Region 3 of Southeastern Alberta
Funding from SREPs: $12,786,750
Project summary: In partnership with the Metis Nation Power Authority (MNPA), the DER #1 project will deploy 4.9 MW of solar generation capacity in Métis Nation Region 3 in southeastern Alberta. The Project will support a greener grid in Alberta, reducing GHG emissions by approximately 3,246 tons of CO2e a year, the equivalent of 994 gas-powered cars off the road. The project will create an estimate of up to 24 total jobs during construction and operations, and training for Indigenous youth, as well as modernize Alberta’s electrical system while increasing grid stability and energy security.

Chappice Lake L.P.
Recipient: Chappice Lake L.P.
Project location: Chappice Lake (Northeast of Medicine Hat), Alberta.
Funding from SREPs: $21,000,000
Project summary: The Chappice Lake L.P., in partnership with Cold Lake First Nations and Elemental Energy renewables, will deploy 14 MW of solar electricity generation equipment paired with 2.9MW/ 8.3MWh of battery energy storage and Artificial Intelligence battery dispatch software. It will be the first utility scale solar + storage project in Alberta to use a flow battery. This project will increase renewable energy capacity and grid services in Alberta, reducing GHG emissions by approximately 15,156 tonnes of CO2e a year, the equivalent of 4,643 gas-powered cars off the road. This project will create new revenue sources from renewable energy for the Cold Lake First Nation while creating an estimate of up to 83 total jobs during construction and operations. 

Enterprise Solar L.P.
Recipient: Renewable Energy System Limited
Project location: Vulcan County, Alberta
Funding from SREPs: $12,016,012
Project summary: The Enterprise Solar L.P. project, in partnership with Pattern Energy, will deploy a 65-MW solar energy generation project, which will connect to the existing AltaLink 138 Kilovolt transmission line. The project is designed to be energy-storage ready, allowing battery storage units to be added in future. This project will increase renewable energy capacity and grid services in Alberta, while decreasing GHG emissions by approximately 61,660 tonnes of CO2e a year, the equivalent of 18,990 gas-powered cars off the road. Additionally, this project will bring significant economic and social benefits, such as tax revenue, job creation (an estimate of up to 935 total jobs) and capacity building to Vulcan Country, while boosting local supply chains in the community.

Cardston Spring Coulee Solar L.P.
Recipient: Cardston Spring Coulee Solar L.P.
Project location: Cardston County, Alberta 
Funding from SREPs: $5,519,000
Project summary: The Spring Coulee Solar project, in partnership with Evolugen, will deploy a 29.5-MW Alternating Current (MWac) bi-facial solar PV plant in Cardston County, Alberta. The project will increase renewable energy capacity and grid services in Alberta, while decreasing GHG emissions by approximately 28,852 tonnes of CO2e a year, the equivalent of 8,839 gas-powered cars off the road. The project will bring significant economic and social benefits, such as tax revenue, job creation (an estimate of up to 145 total jobs) and capacity building to Cardston County, while boosting local supply chains in the community.

The programs and initiatives announced today build on previous investments that support solar energy across the Prairies. 

These include:

• East Strathmore, where Minister Wilkinson announced a $3.4-million investment in Elemental Energy’s East Strathmore Solar Project, which will deploy 20-megawatts of solar generation and help green Alberta’s grid.

• Metis Crossing, where the Government of Canada is investing nearly $9 million for the Métis Nation of Alberta’s 4.86-megawatt solar power generation project in Smoky Lake County, Alberta.

• Awasis Solar, where Minister Wilkinson announced an $18.5 million investment to help deploy 10 megawatts of solar power generation with the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan.

Funding under the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) will increase renewable energy capacity and grid services and support equity diversity and inclusiveness in electricity projects, while also delivering progress on emissions reductions in Canada.