Alberta Invests in 600MW of Wind Power

Wind Energy

December 19, 2017

The Alberta provincial government asked for bids to build 400 MW of wind power. 29 companies responded. When the dust cleared, the bids were so low, the government decided to increase its RfP by 50% to 600 MW. Premier Rachel Notley said the average of 3.7 cents per kilowatt-hour bid by the 3 winning companies is the lowest price for electricity from wind power ever recorded in Canada.

Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association, says not only did this latest auction set a record low wind power price, it also means wind is now competitive with natural gas–fired generation facilities. He notes the cost of wind power has fallen by 67% in the past 8 years. “That’s a product of technological change, larger turbines, lighter materials. It’s also a product of improved financing. You have a lot more people who want to invest in wind now, who don’t see it as risky … and in this particular case, Alberta does have a very good wind resource.”

Alberta has selected three companies to construct four wind turbine facilities within the province. Capital Power, based in Edmunton, will build a 201 MW facility. EDP Renewables, based in Lisbon, will build a 248 MW wind farm, and Enel Green Power Canada, a division of the giant Italian utility company Enel, will build two systems, one of 115 MW and another of 31 MW. All four are scheduled to begin operating in 2019 and will cost nearly $1 billion.

Alberta has set a goal of 5,000 megawatts of renewable energy through private sector investment by 2030. Reaching that goal will require an investment of about $10 billion. The agreement between the wind developers and the province requires the Alberta government to subsidize the plants using funds from a tax on heavy industrial emitters if the power price falls below the bid price. If it’s higher, the companies are to pay the difference to the province.

The idea that Alberta is looking beyond further development of its tar sands to promote more renewable energy within its borders is good news for local utility customers and the environment.

Souce: https://cleantechnica.com/2017/12/14/alberta-tar-sands-capitol-world-invests-600-mw-wind-power/

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    July 7, 2025 Intralec Electrical Products is proud to announce our new partnership with IDEAL Electrical as their sales agency for the Central & Southwestern Ontario regions. As a Canadian manufacturer with over 60 years of experience producing quality products—many of which, like the Can-Twist wire connector and Yellow 77 lubricant, are made in Ajax,… Read More…

  • City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    July 4, 2025 The City of Winnipeg has launched an improved Permits Online web portal. This upgrade aims to make the permit process more convenient for customers. Permits Online is a one-stop shop to manage the permit process. Now, the web portal is easier to use because customers can navigate it using their mobile device. The portal… Read More…

  • Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    July 4, 2025 Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has launched Chapter 3 of its online Sustainability School, a free training program designed to empower its channel ecosystem partners to become leaders in sustainability. This chapter will focus on teaching businesses how to decarbonize and unlock the competitive… Read More…

  • United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    July 4, 2025 United Chargers Inc., known for the Grizzl-E line of EV chargers, announces Grizzl-E Club, a first-of-its-kind charger as a service that provides a free EV Charger and pays drivers back for charging. Grizzl-E Club is designed to make EV ownership more rewarding, accessible, and future-ready. Beginning July 1st, Canadians can join the Grizzl-E… Read More…