Alberta government announces new restrictions on renewable energy development (Updated)
Latest Updates | March 5, 2024 Updates
On February 28, 2024, following a 7-month "pause" on the approval of new renewable energy projects in the province, the Government of Alberta (GoA) announced their plans for future renewables development, and issued a letter to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) advising them of the policy, legislative and regulatory changes that they intend to advance regarding the development of renewable energy projects. What follows is a compilation of news coverage, opinion and analysis, and responses to the government's announcement from AEN members, and other environmental advocacy organizations.
Latest Updates
On March 15, 2024, the Government of Alberta sent a draft map to industry members, providing additional clarity on the areas where renewable energy development will be restricted. The map was less restrictive than some had feared, but questions remain.
Earlier, the Alberta Utilities Commission released the first of two reports resulting from its inquiry into the renewable energy industry in Alberta. The report concluded that compared to other forms of industrial development, renewables power projects pose little threat of agricultural land loss, and have "well-understood and relatively contained reclamation risks."
- Factsheet Potential impact of siting restrictions on renewable energy projects (Pembina Institute | March 11, 2024)
- News Renewables pose little threat to agriculture, environment: Alberta commission report (Canadian Press/CBC News | March 13, 2024)
- News Critics say Alberta renewables report contradicts government proposals for industry (Canadian Press/CBC News | March 15, 2024)
- News Wind energy developments won't be allowed within 35 km of Rocky Mountains: province (Calgary Herald | March 15, 2024)
- News Wind turbine no-go zones would cut off rural Albertan communities from key tax revenues (Calgary Herald | March 18, 2024)
