Alberta Concludes Pause on Renewable Power Projects

Alberta
Back in August, the government controversially paused renewable power generation project approvals in the Province due to various concerns pertaining to reclamation and viewscapes. This pause on final approvals will lift on February 29.

CanGEA consulted in the stakeholder engagement process to review the issues – and the consultation process is now entering the next phase to draft the rules. Although these rules are not yet finalized, the government has confirmed that:

• The AUC will take an “agriculture first” approach when evaluating the best use of agricultural lands proposed for renewables development.
  
  
• Developers will be responsible for reclamation costs via bond or security. The reclamation costs will either be provided directly to the Alberta government or may be negotiated with landowners if sufficient evidence is provided to the AUC.
  
  
• Buffer zones of a minimum of 35 kilometres will be established around protected areas and other “pristine viewscapes” as designated by the province.
  
  
• Meaningful engagement will be required before any policy changes for projects on Crown land and would not come into effect until late 2025. Any development of renewable development on Crown lands will be on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• Changes to Alberta’s Transmission Regulation are expected in the coming months as the engagement process continues. Renewable projects should expect changes in how transmission costs are allocated.
  
  

Full government press release available here.