Edmonton Journal:



The province is taking more bids from companies interested in producing renewable electricity as part of a plan to shift 30 per cent of Alberta’s grid to green sources by 2030.

The competition seeks proposals to generate a total of 700 megawatts of solar, wind, biomass or other sustainable energy, enough to supply nearly 300,000 homes, Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd said Wednesday.

One of the two rounds under the Renewable Electricity Program will allow partnerships at least one-quarter owned by Indigenous communities to make proposals to create up to a total of 300 megawatts to help create jobs and economic benefits, she said.

The other round, to provide up to 400 megawatts, will be open to any company. The successful bidders in both rounds will be announced by the end of the year and must start operations by June 2021.

McCuaig-Boyd expects strong interest.

“This competitive aspect (means) we’re not only attracting investment from around the world, but we’re creating meaningful partnerships such as the one with Indigenous communities,” she told a news conference at NAIT’s Alternative Energy Technology lab.

“We’re getting Albertans the most renewable power generation at the lowest cost.”

Guy Lonechild, chief executive of the Regina-based First Nations Power Authority, said the program is a good opportunity for Aboriginal groups to play a larger role in the renewable energy field.

His non-profit organization expects to develop links between Indigenous organizations and industry, he said.

The provincial program is intended to support development of 5,000 megawatts of renewable power by 2030, which McCuaig-Boyd said will attract $10 billion in private investment and create about 7,000 jobs.

More: Alberta opens bidding for more renewable power generation