A prominent clean energy think tank is taking the Government of Alberta to task for its seven-month pause on renewable energy projects in the province.
The Pembina Institute is offering the public an assessment document ahead of the moratorium’s February 29 closure. It includes seven criteria for evaluating the Alberta Utilities Commission’s (AUC) forthcoming recommendations on renewable energy development in the province:
- Companies’ ability to develop projects with willing landowners,
- Reclamation security requirements,
- Municipal government approval and stakeholder intervention process,
- Pristine viewscapes,
- Access to lands held by the Crown in Right of Alberta,
- Access to the grid, and
- Access to Alberta’s open market.
In a February 15 news release, the institute accused the provincial government of “unfairly (targeting) the renewable energy sector.”
“We look forward to seeing evidence that the renewable energy sector is being treated consistently and fairly with other Alberta land uses and is not subjected to stricter rules than other energy sectors that have a larger impact,” read the release.
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“When the renewable energy moratorium ends, the Pembina Institute will be evaluating if the Government of Alberta made reasonable changes, especially with an eye to the fairness of the outcomes in relation to the lack of accountability awarded other sectors needing substantial reform.
“In doing so, we aim to understand if Alberta remains a highly attractive place for renewable energy investment and how the moratorium has impacted this.”
In August 2023, the provincial government announced a moratorium on approvals for wind, solar and geothermal projects greater than one megawatt.
The Pembina report, entitled Is Alberta’s Renewable Energy Industry Being Treated Fairly?: How to assess the outcome of the Alberta Utilities Commission inquiry into the ongoing economic, orderly and efficient development of electricity generation can be found on the Pembina Institute website.
