The Alberta Utilities Commission will hold a virtual hearing this summer to review two large-scale solar power proposals in eastern Alberta.
The applications, submitted by UK Solar East Ltd. and UK Solar West Ltd., propose the construction and operation of two solar power plants northwest of Oyen, along with associated 240-kilovolt substations. The projects would generate a combined 430 megawatts of electricity across more than 2,400 acres of privately owned, cultivated land.
The Oyen 1 Solar Project, by UK Solar East, would produce 268.4 megawatts and cover approximately 1,450 acres about 13 kilometres from Oyen. The Oyen 2 Solar Project, by UK Solar West, would add 162 megawatts over 959 acres roughly 15 kilometres away. Both applicants are subsidiaries of Universal Kraft Canada Renewables Ltd.
The AUC confirmed a virtual oral hearing will begin August 11 at 10 a.m., with a test session scheduled for August 5. Written evidence from interveners is due by June 9. The decision to proceed with an oral hearing follows requests by the Oyen Solar Opposition Group, which argued that a written-only format would limit public engagement and transparency.
The two projects had originally been filed under separate proceedings, but on April 29, the AUC merged them under Proceeding 29307. The Commission noted that while it may limit the scope of the hearing based on the written evidence submitted, both applications will be reviewed together during the oral proceeding.
The public can access all documents related to the case through the AUC’s eFiling System. Anyone wishing to participate must register through the system and may be eligible for funding, provided they have been granted standing in the proceeding.
More information is available at www.auc.ab.ca or by contacting the Commission directly.
