The Canadian government is investing in 12 wind, solar and smart-grid projects with Alberta indigenous and industry partners.

The government is helping bring affordable, reliable, clean energy to communities in every region of Canada by investing in job-creating clean energy projects across the country and working with indigenous partners to get projects built.

Alberta’s immense potential for clean energy development, combined with the expertise of workers and the ambitious planning of indigenous and community partners, is creating economic opportunities in the province.

Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s minister of energy and natural resources, has announced over $175m in federal investments for 12 Alberta-based clean energy projects that will create thousands of jobs and enable local economic growth, while delivering clean, affordable energy to communities. Once fully implemented, these projects should reduce emissions equivalent to taking nearly 325,000 petrol-powered cars off the road every year, resulting in cleaner air and healthier communities.

“The government of Canada is investing to deliver more affordable, reliable and clean power in every region of Canada,” said Wilkinson. “Today’s federal investment in indigenous and industry-led projects, including those with Atco, will create jobs delivering power to communities across Alberta as we seize the economic opportunities of a low-carbon future.”

Utility Atco (www.atco.com) will modernise assets, upgrade systems and deploy advanced metering infrastructure across rural, remote and urban communities to optimise electricity grid management and operations, supported by a federal investment of over $62m. These five investments should improve outage responses and enable customer options such as time-of-use pricing through multiple projects.

Capstone Infrastructure, in partnership with Sawridge First Nation, is developing Buffalo Atlee, comprising four wind farm sites near Jenner, Alberta. These four projects are supported by a combined $60m federal investment and are expected to produce over 200,000 megawatt-hours per year, enough to supply electricity for about 26,200 average Albertan homes annually.

Pattern Energy Group will deploy the Lanfine Wind One project, an onshore wind project in eastern Alberta, supported by a federal investment of over $20m. The 150MW facility is expected to generate clean energy for up to 45,000 Alberta homes.

Renewable Energy Systems Canada’s Hilda wind power project will add 105.4MW of wind energy in Cypress County, supported by a federal investment of over $17.5m. The project is expected to supply enough clean energy to power 32,000 households.

Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations and Atco will deploy the largest solar installation in an urban centre in western Canada, supported by a federal investment of over $13m. Located in southeast Calgary, the Barlow and Deerfoot solar facilities are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 50,000 tonnes annually and to generate economic returns for the First Nations’ communities. This is in addition to $78.8m in support from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to enable the majority equity ownership of the project by both First Nations.

Akamihk Energy, supported by a federal investment of $1m, will investigate the potential to integrate all electricity distribution infrastructure and service on Montana First Nation’s lands into a consolidated microgrid; manage energy flows within that grid; and meter exchange to the Alberta interconnected electric system. Akamihk Energy is a 100-per-cent Montana First Nation-owned company.

The Canadian government says it is committed to developing a net-zero electricity system by 2035 and will continue to work with partners to advance economic reconciliation and climate action while creating jobs and delivering reliable clean power on the road to a sustainable and prosperous net-zero future.

“The clean energy future is here,” said Seamus O’Regan, minister of labour. “It’s creating good jobs and more prosperity in Alberta and across Canada.”

The job-creating projects are funded through the Smart Renewables & Electrification Pathways Programme (SREPs). This year’s budget committed nearly $3bn in additional funds to this programme, along with an estimated $26bn for the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit. This programme is actively supporting Canada’s ongoing transition to a net-zero economy by 2050 and Canada’s commitment to meeting Clean Electricity Regulations objectives.