Canada’s Alberta pauses approvals of new renewable projects, citing development concerns
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The construction site of Strathmore Solar farm in Alberta, Canada.
PHOTO: REUTERS
OTTAWA - The province of Alberta, Canada’s main fossil fuel producer, on Thursday paused approvals of new renewable electricity generation projects over one megawatt, prompting protests from green groups.
Citing concerns about the pace of development, the provincial government said it will launch an inquiry to review policies and procedures for renewable electricity generation. The pause, which runs until Feb 29, 2024, is sure to increase tensions with the Liberal federal government.
Ottawa wants to cut national carbon emissions by 40 per cent to 45 per cent by 2030, but can only achieve its climate plan with significant reductions from Alberta, but Premier Danielle Smith says this will cripple its economy.
Alberta said the pause was in part responding to concerns from municipalities and landowners about responsible land use.
It also noted what it called reliability concerns due to a rapid shift away from coal and the increase of renewables.
The Pembina Institute environmental group said the freeze put at risk almost 100 projects awaiting approval, representing at least C$25 billion (S$25 billion) in investments and the capacity to power more than three million homes.
“Wind and solar have been proven to reduce energy prices and this announcement will put at risk the affordability of electricity for Albertans,” said campaigner Ms Courtney Smith.
The office of federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson did not respond to a request for comment.
His office is working on the precise regulatory framework for a clean electricity grid by 2035, another concept that Ms Smith says she opposes.
“This is a poke in the eye to the regulations, which are expected to be announced very soon,” said Mr Keith Stewart of Greenpeace. “It’s about building natural gas projects rather than renewables, to keep fossil fuels in the driver’s seat.”
There are 3,400 megawatts of wind and solar projects currently under construction in Alberta, with an estimated value of more than C$2.7 billion, the government said. REUTERS
