Calgary solar power projects will be largest of their kind in Western Canada: ATCO
ATCO will be building two solar projects in Calgary and says once completed, the installations will be the largest in a major urban centre in Western Canada.
The company announced the projects on Wednesday, saying the aim of the solar installations is to provide clean, renewable energy to Alberta’s power grid.
The Barlow and Deerfoot solar projects, which ATCO acquired from privately held energy developer DP Energy, will be 27 and 37 megawatts respectively.
Wednesday's announcement follows ATCO’s recent acquisition of a solar project near the village of Empress in eastern Alberta.
The acquisition of three major solar projects shows how important we believe it is to provide customers with the opportunity to decarbonize their energy consumption,” ATCO executive vice-president of corporate development Bob Myles said.
Together, the Barlow and Deerfoot projects will have 175,000 double-sided solar panels, covering the equivalent of about 170 Canadian football fields.
According to ATCO, the installations will generate enough renewable electricity to power more than 18,000 homes and offset 68,000 tonnes of carbon a year.
"ATCO is delivering on our strategy to help communities accelerate their transition to clean energy in a safe, affordable and reliable manner," Myles said. "These solar projects are also prime examples of the kinds of opportunities we’ll continue to pursue as we grow our renewables portfolio moving forward."
ATCO said the Deerfoot project, near 114 Avenue and 52 Street S.E., is completing the permitting phase, while the Barlow project, near Barlow Trail and 114 Avenue S.E., has received its major permits.
Construction for both projects is expected to start next year with commercial operations targeted for late 2022.
Electricity from the projects will be sold into the Alberta power market.
ATCO said it is currently negotiating with potential customers to contract the facilities’ output.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.