A $33 million solar project near Gleichen is underway.
The Gleichen Solar Project is expected to produce 13 megawatts of energy once it's completed.
It's a collaboration between Ermineskin Cree Nation and TIU Canada with support from the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREP) from the Government of Canada.
Ermineskin Cree Nation Chief Jole Mykat said in a news release "this partnership and the Gleichen Solar Project represents a significant step forward for our community in the renewable energy space, a step toward greater sustainability for generations to come. I am looking forward to seeing this work unfold for the benefit of our people."
TIU Canada's Country Manager Dan Visser is thrilled with the progress so far "Having just broken ground in June, the progress made in building this facility is truly impressive – we anticipate coming online in March 2025. I'm proud of TIU Canada's partnership with the Ermineskin Cree Nation and our contribution to meeting Canada's net-zero emissions goals, with this project and more to come."
The federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson was also thrilled with the partnership and was also quoted in the news release.
"By making historic investments in clean electricity, this government is positioning Canadians to take advantage of the economic opportunities presented by the clean economy, now and into the future. The Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program is already providing Canadian communities across the country with affordable and clean power while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I am pleased to celebrate the ongoing successes of this program and to confirm a federal commitment of $21.3 million for the Gleichen Solar Project. By working with Indigenous partners, we can accomplish our common goal of an energy-efficient and money-saving clean grid, while bringing benefits to communities and advancing meaningful economic reconciliation."
The project itself will consist of approximately 32,000 solar panels with 43 inverters and 5 Medium Voltage transformer stations which will connect to Fortis.
There's also a local Alberta connection with some of the construction materials, as over 3,000 steel piles are being fabricated in Coaldale.