ATCO Acquires 39 MW Solar Development Project in Eastern Alberta, Reinforcing its Ongoing Commitment to a More Sustainable Energy Future

Source: · CISION · | September 13, 2021

Source: Though Canadian Utilities Limited, ATCO has acquired a 39 MW photovoltaic solar project under development near the Village of Empress in eastern Alberta. Commercial operation is expected in 2022. (CNW Group/ATCO Ltd.)

ATCO has acquired the Empress Solar Project, a 39 MW photovoltaic solar facility under development in Alberta, marking another step in ATCO's commitment to contribute to the decarbonization of the electricity grid while enabling customers to reduce the carbon intensity of their energy. Through Canadian Utilities Limited, ATCO acquired the development rights to the project from a third-party developer. Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

"This kind of energy project is a central pillar of ATCO's strategy, a strategy anchored by our commitment to sustainability through the production of cleaner fuels, renewable electricity, energy efficiency and critical energy infrastructure," said Bob Myles, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, ATCO.

In recent months, ATCO completed Canada's largest and most northerly off-grid solar project, announced a potential world-scale clean hydrogen project and began work on a renewable natural gas production facility.

The latest project, located south of the village of Empress near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, has received its major permits, with project execution underway and commercial operations expected in 2022. Electricity from the Empress Solar Project will be sold into the Alberta power market and ATCO is currently negotiating with potential off-takers to contract the facility's output.

Using about 85,000 bifacial solar panels affixed to a single-axis tracking system, the facility will provide enough renewable electricity to power more than 11,000 homes annually, offsetting 43,000 tonnes of carbon a year.