EDMONTON — The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has opened the first of a three-stage competitive process for bids to provide a total of 700 megawatts of renewable energy for the second and third rounds of the Renewable Electricity Program.
The program is estimated by the Alberta government to attract approximately $10 billion in private investment and create 7,000 jobs by 2030.
The second round of the program will involve private-sector partnerships with Alberta Indigenous communities bidding to produce up to 300 megawatts of power.
Each bid is required to include a minimum 25 per cent Indigenous equity ownership component, which can include an ownership stake in the project or land-use agreement between the company and the community.
“This program is a great opportunity for Indigenous communities to create jobs and play a larger role in developing renewable energy,” said First Nations Power Authority CEO Guy Lonechild in a statement.
“As a non-profit organization, we’re working to foster relationships between Indigenous communities and industry, and we commend the government for working with us to build these opportunities which will benefit all Albertans.”
The third round adds up to 400 megawatts of renewable electricity, following the same open competition format of the program’s first round.
“In total, the program will support the development of 5,000 megawatts of renewable electricity capacity to help Alberta reach its target of having 30 per cent renewable energy by 2030,” an Alberta government release stated.
The AESO will co-ordinate the next stages of the competition with successful bidders announced at the end of 2018.
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