Canadian Solar Inc. has won three solar power contracts with the Ministry of Infrastructure of Alberta, Canada. The contracts amount to 94 MWp (megawatts) of solar power system in southeast Alberta. The averaged contracted PPA price per MWh (megawatt-hour) will be C$48.05.
When it is up and running, the solar plants will provide Alberta’s provincial government with 55% of its electricity needs.
Canadian Solar believes these three will probably be Canada’s biggest public sector solar power procurement contract in 2019.
Canadian Solar Comment
Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, Shawn Qu, said:
“We see great potential in the Alberta solar market, and we’re pleased to supply subsidy-free solar power to meet Alberta’s clean energy needs. We hope these 94 MWp solar project contracts serve as a catalyst for solar industry growth in Canada, specifically in Alberta.”
“We are delighted to partner with Conklin Métis Local 193, the indigenous community, who owns a 50-percent equity stake in the Hays, Jenner, and Tilley solar projects.”
Conklin Métis Local 193 partnership
In the autumn of 2018, Canadian Solar and Conklin Métis Local 193 entered into a 50% partnership on three projects. The Conklin Métis, based in the rural hamlet of Conklin, is an indigenous community. It is part of eastern Alberta’s Athabasca Oil Sands region.
President of the Conklin Métis Local 193, Shirley Tremblay, said:
“We are extremely excited about our partnership with Canadian Solar, a global leader in solar energy. As a Métis community, we highly value the opportunity to invest in renewable energy projects within Canada.”
“This partnership will help us diversify our investment portfolio, and its financial benefits will support key social and economic initiatives within our community. We applaud the Government of Alberta and Canadian Solar for their progressive mentality and look forward to a long-lasting, prosperous relationship.”
The three projects
The contracts’ three projects are the Hays, Tilley, and Jenner solar projects. Canadian Solar expects to complete them in early 2021. By then, they should generate enough power for over 20,000 homes. During the construction period, the projects will create 270 jobs in Alberta.
Canadian Solar says it will use bifacial solar panels in all three projects. Bifacial solar panels generate up to twenty percent more electricity than standard solar modules. This is because they can generate power from both sides.
According to a Canadian Solar press release:
” These modules are particularly well-suited to snowy climates like Alberta in the winter, as snow will increase reflection of sunlight.”
Shannon Phillips, Alberta Government’s Minister of Environment and Parks, said:
“Alberta is one of the best places in the world to invest in renewable energy. I am so proud to take another huge step in advancing solar energy in Alberta while creating good local jobs and saving millions of public dollars.”
“This is an important step in building a more resilient and diversified economy and attracting further investment to Alberta’s booming renewables market.”
