CALGARY,
AB, Dec. 13, 2024 /CNW/ - In the 21st century,
a reliable and affordable clean electricity grid is the backbone of
a strong economy. Today, more than 80 percent of Canada's electricity is generated from clean
sources like hydropower, wind, solar and nuclear — and it's a big
part of the reason why companies are choosing to invest in Canadian
workers and business. By taking action to expand clean power, new
economic opportunities are being unlocked while families and
workers are getting ahead with lower energy bills.
Today, Member of Parliament George Chahal announced
investments totalling over $152
million for nine clean electricity projects in Alberta through the Smart Renewables and
Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs). These solar, wind
energy and grid infrastructure upgrade projects will support the
delivery of reliable, affordable and clean electricity in
Alberta, a key sector for economic
growth, and are expected to displace approximately 760,000 tonnes
of harmful carbon emissions per year, once commissioned, and
generate enough electricity to power upward of 170,000 homes.
That's more homes than in all of Red
Deer, Lethbridge,
Airdrie and Fort McMurray combined.
As demand for electricity grows, the opportunity to power our
communities and the world with clean, affordable and reliable power
is a win-win-win — for workers, for affordability and for the
environment. The Government of Canada's plan is working to drive GHG
pollution down while the economy grows and inflation cools.
Together, with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples,
municipalities, industry and workers, the Government of
Canada is seizing the opportunity
ahead to build a strong economy with good jobs and to ensure a
healthy environment for our children and
grandchildren.
Quotes
"Renewable energy is increasingly making the most economic sense
to build, and it delivers power at the most affordable rates. When
governments understand this fact and invest in building good
projects that create good jobs, drive investment in our economy and
clean our air, we all succeed. Alberta's workers have always powered and will
always power our economy, and investments like today's will make
sure of that."
The Honourable, Jonathan
Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources
"There is a world of economic opportunity available to
Alberta in clean and renewable
energy, but only if we allow it to flourish with the right
conditions and supports. Today's announcement is another tangible
demonstration of the significant investment we are making in
Alberta to build clean energy
projects and create good-quality, middle-class, unionized jobs in
the process. By working together, we can seize the opportunity
ahead to build a strong and sustainable economy for generations
ahead."
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of
Environment and Climate Change
"Albertans play an important role in powering Canada's economy with clean electricity,
hydrogen, oil and gas, and critical minerals. The Prairies economy
is a major source of Canada's
economic activity, alone representing about a quarter of our gross
domestic product. Investments like today's $152-million infusion in Alberta are about boosting our clean
electricity production, saving people money and growing our
economy."
George Chahal
Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview
"As a company solely owned by Montana
First Nation, the 22-megawatt Killarney Lake Solar Project
is an economic venture that aligns with our traditional values and
role as stewards of the environment. This project has allowed our
community to increase our participation in the clean energy economy
in a meaningful way by providing utility-scale power generation, at
the same time creating career opportunities and economic benefits
for Montana First Nation
members."
Jesse
Currie
Operations Manager, MFN Management
Inc.
"With the support of Natural Resources Canada, we are driving
momentum for Indigenous leadership in renewable energy. Our
commitment to creating equitable partnerships has driven the
success of projects like the Tilley Solar project and now the Paul
First Nation Solar Farm project, both Indigenous-led and
majority-owned. In alignment with our Indigenous community
partners, we are determined to forge a sustainable future."
Firman Latimer
Founder and CEO, First Nation Power
Development Inc. (FNpower)
"We're proud to bring the Big Sky Solar Power Project to
completion, producing renewable energy responsibly and greatly
benefiting our host community. The project not only delivers clean
energy on a site compatible with local land use but also
contributes over $800,000 annually in
local taxes, nearly doubling the Municipal District of Acadia No.
4's revenue. In addition, we provide $50,000 each year to a community benefit fund,
alongside permanent local jobs and contracts for services like
vegetation management and road maintenance. We welcome this
important federal government funding, which highlights the value of
partnership in advancing Canada's
clean energy future."
Peter Clibbon
Senior
Vice President – Development at RES in Canada
"I thank Natural Resources Canada for investing in the Sadee
Solar Power project through the Smart Renewables and
Electrification Pathways Program (SREP). Through this program,
NRCAN is creating meaningful ways for Indigenous entrepreneurs to
contribute to the green energy transition. Once completed, this
project will provide 28 gigawatt hours of clean energy into
Alberta's electrical grid every
year."
Jasper
Lamouelle
CEO, It'oa Energy
"The Gleichen Solar Project is a collaboration between
Ermineskin Cree Nation and TIU Canada and is supported by the
Government of Canada through the
Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREP). The
project represents an over-$30-million combined investment in renewable
energy for the region and will bring online over 13 megawatts of
clean, renewable energy to surrounding communities in the
southeastern Alberta hamlet of
Gleichen. The economic and
environmental benefits of this unique partnership will extend from
the community, to the province, to nationwide."
Daniel Visser
Country Manager, TIU Canada
"The Wild Rose 2 Wind farm is a great example of Capstone and
NRCan's leadership in driving the energy transition forward and
forging partnerships with the public and private sectors to help
governments and companies procure clean, renewable energy to reach
their climate goals. Once operational, the Wild Rose 2 Wind Farm
will be the largest facility in our fleet, providing enough
electricity for approximately 90,000 Alberta homes each year and contributing
significantly to Pembina Pipeline and the City of Edmonton meeting their decarbonization
targets. We greatly appreciate the Ministry's support."
David Eva, Chief Executive
Officer
Capstone Infrastructure Corporation
"Uniting diverse stakeholders is essential for driving
innovation and sustainable development. In Canada, collaborations with Indigenous
stakeholders and NRCan highlight the importance of reconciliation
and shared knowledge. These efforts empower Indigenous peoples and
integrate traditional wisdom with modern practices. Together, we
are building a secure and prosperous future for all, proving that
partnerships and reconciliation are active, impactful
processes."
Jody Linklater
CEO,
Clean Communities Corp
"Today's investments boost Canada's global competitiveness by ensuring
that Canadians and Canadian businesses have access to affordable,
clean and reliable power essential for growth."
Vittoria
Bellissimo
President and CEO, Canadian Renewable
Energy Association
Quick Facts
- Federal funding for these projects is provided by the
Government of Canada's Smart
Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs). This
$4.5-billion program is designed to
support the deployment of grid modernization, energy storage and
non-emitting generation in every region of Canada, helping to grow the grid in a
sustainable, affordable and reliable manner.
- Since 2021, SREPs has approved funding for 72 deployment
projects, enabling the deployment of approximately 2,700 megawatts
of new renewable energy capacity, which will displace over 3.1
megatonnes of CO2e per year in Canada.
- Today's announcements build on previous Government of
Canada's investments in the
province, such as $175 million for 12
Alberta-based clean energy
projects in September 2023.
- The Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy sets out a
vision for a green Prairie economy that is prosperous, sustainable
and benefits everyone. It is a long-term commitment by the federal
government to have stronger coordination between federal
departments on investments for the Prairies and closer
collaboration with Prairie partners on priorities to seize new
opportunities in the transition to a net-zero future.
- Across Canada, electricity
operators are taking advantage of the more than $60 billion over the next decade in federal
support to help build 21st-century electricity
grids.
- All G7 countries have committed to build a net-zero grid as a
foundational measure for enabling achievement of net-zero economies
by 2050.
- Electrification is helping to save families money on their
energy bills, such as by driving hybrid trucks or installing
all-season heat pumps that have lower operating costs. These
cost-saving technologies are supported by purchase incentives and
rebate programs from the Government of Canada, helping to put hundreds of dollars
more in the pockets of Canadian families every month.
Related Information
- Backgrounder: Powering Canada's Future: More Renewable,
Affordable and Reliable Power for Albertans
- Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
- Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and
Reliable Electricity System for Every Region in Canada
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
- Green Prairie economy - Canada.ca
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada