The developers plan to build the 398.5MW Forty Mile wind farm in south-eastern Alberta, but with the expected phase-out of clean energy tenders in the province, they will need to make the project commercially viable in a merchant environment.
An expected commissioning date or turbine supplier remains unknown, but added the companies are currently “looking for partners in long-term power purchase agreements”.
In April, Alberta’s United Conservative Party government pledged to end renewable energy auctions in the province and instead encourage “market-driven green power”, prompting developers to seek ways of supporting non-subsidy projects.
Evan Wilson, the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s (CanWEA) regional director for the prairies — which includes Alberta — told Windpower Monthly at the time wind could still compete in a merchant environment.
He suggested PPAs with large-scale energy users — increasingly common in the US — or trading accredited offsets could help wind power in Alberta.
Read more: https://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/1662747/ppa-hunt-canadas-largest-wind-farm