MÉTIS NATION OF ALBERTA ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF 4.86MW SOLAR GENERATION PROJECT TO BE ESTABLISHED AT MÉTIS CROSSING, SMOKY LAKE

Source: | · ALBERTA METIS · | August 2, 2022

The Métis Crossing Solar Project will more than offset the electricity used for all Métis Nation of Alberta operations.

Source: Métis Nation of Alberta

Smoky Lake, AB – August 2, 2022 – The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has announced plans to proceed with the construction phase of the Métis Crossing Solar Project (MCSP), a community generation solar project located in Smoky Lake County at Métis Crossing, a signature cultural destination of the MNA. Led by the MNA, the MCSP is a collaboration between the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Town of Smoky Lake, and Smoky Lake County. ATCO has been selected as the partner to construct the solar project through a competitive bidding process.

The project was developed as a key initiative of the MNA Climate Change Action Plan. The development of the solar facility will provide economic and community benefits to all community partners. Profits generated from the MCSP will be used to fund social and economic development initiatives and programs through the MNA, benefitting Métis people across Alberta.

A portion of project profits will also support a Community Development Fund to encourage sustainable development in the local community. The facility is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent during its first year of operations and produce enough electricity to power more than 1,200 Alberta homes.

Additional economic benefits will be provided to the local community by hosting an infrastructure project of this size. The project has also committed to hiring and supporting Métis and local community sub-contractors. The County of Smoky Lake will receive significant tax revenue as a result of the project.

Construction of the solar project is expected to begin in the Summer 2022, with a target energization date of Spring 2023. A formal groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Fall 2022.