Alberta legislates 30% by 2030 renewables target, releases details on competitive procurement

The Government of Alberta announced Nov. 4, 2016 that it will legislate its target to meet 30% of the province’s annual electricity needs from renewable resources.

John Gorman, CanSIA President & CEO, released the following statement in support of the announcement:

“Decarbonizing and diversifying Alberta’s electricity supply to 30 per cent renewables by 2030 is not only the right thing to do, it is also the sensible thing to do. Renewable energy has never been cheaper. The technology and expertise for reliable system integration has never been more readily available. The need to balance environment and economic development while demonstrating a responsible approach to the development of our abundance of natural resources has never been more front of mind for Canadians. Legislating this target proves that 30 per cent by 2030 is not just a goal that may be achieved, it is a goal that Alberta will achieve.”

Read the Government of Alberta’s full news release here.

In support of meeting this target, the province will commence a process this month to procure the first 400 MW of the 5,000 MW of new utility-scale renewable electricity generation capacity that will be supported through the Renewable Electricity Program (REP). The REP will be a competitive procurement that will employ a mechanism called an “indexed-Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)” which is similar to the “Contract for Differences” approach used in other jurisdictions but amended to be compatible with the unique characteristics of Alberta’s electricity sector and market. The first round of the REP will be technology-neutral. The bids submitted and results will inform the design of future rounds with potential for “carve-outs” or “set-asides” or other design elements to be included in future. See further details about the REP here.

Click here to see the AESO’s ‘Renewable Electricity Program Recommendations’submitted in May, 2016.

Visit Belnor Engineering at Booth #1114 at CanSIA’s Annual National #SolarCanada2016 Conference & Expo at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Dec 5–6! We’ll be showcasing Onyx Solar BIPV Glass and offiicially launch Solarstem Mounting Systems in North America! Save the date!

Belnor Engineering is a proud corporate member of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) and the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC)!

Originally published at www.solarcanadaconference.ca.