L-R: Guy Lonechild, CEO, First Nations Power Authority, Minister Phillips, Minister Feehan, Rupert Meneen, Grand Chief, Treaty 8, Minister McCuaig-Boyd, Gerald Cunningham, president, Metis Settlements General Council, Aaron Young, Chief, Chiniki First Nation and Roy Fox, Chief, Kainai First Nation.
Indigenous partnerships
power renewable energy
Edmonton, Alta.-Albertans will see new jobs, more private-sector investment and increased green power generation as the next phase of the Renewable Electricity Program focuses on partnerships with Indigenous communities.
The highly competitive opening round of the program attracted about $1 billion of private-sector investment in green power generation in Alberta. Building off that momentum, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is preparing to open the second and third series of competitions, which will add approximately 700 megawatts of renewable energy, or enough to power nearly 300,000 homes.
The second round of competition will see companies partner with Indigenous communities to provide 300 megawatts of renewable power. Each bid will have a minimum Indigenous equity component, which can include an ownership stake in the project or land use agreement between the company and the community. This will help create jobs and economic benefits in Indigenous communities and across Alberta.
"Alberta isn't just a leader in oil and gas, we're a leader in renewable energy, too. Today's announcement recognizes the valuable work of Indigenous communities in advancing our province's transition to renewable electricity. Our made-in-Alberta plan is getting results, as we see more investment in renewables generate low-cost green power, create good jobs and diversify the economy," says Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister responsible for the Climate Change Office.
The third round of the program will add about 400 megawatts of renewable electricity and follow the same open competition format as round one, which saw strong investor confidence and achieved a record-low price for renewable energy in Canada.
AESO, which administers the program, is expected to open both auction-style competitions this spring with successful bidders announced by the end of 2018.
As Alberta's electricity sector evolves, the Alberta government will continue a collaborative dialogue with Indigenous leaders on how best to support long-term Indigenous participation in the electricity sector and the Renewable Electricity Program.
"Indigenous communities have had a leading role in developing green energy on a smaller scale and I'm pleased this next round of the Renewable Electricity Program will help support larger, utility-scale projects while creating good jobs and economic benefits for Indigenous Albertans," says Margaret McCuaig-Boyd, Minister of Energy.
"Indigenous communities have been at the forefront of developing micro-generation projects and training individuals for renewable energy jobs of the future. Participating in the Renewable Electricity Program is the next logical step. Taking part in this program will help create local jobs and enable Indigenous communities to emerge as leaders in a low-carbon economy," says Richard Feehan, Minister of Indigenous Relations.
The highly competitive first round attracted private investment from Alberta and around the world, with successful bidders to provide 600 megawatts of renewable electricity to the grid by the end of 2019.
Support for the Renewable Electricity Program is made possible by the Climate Leadership Plan and is not funded by consumer electricity charges. In total, the program will support the development of 5,000 megawatts of renewable electricity capacity to reach a target of 30 percent renewable energy by 2030.
