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Business Renewables Centre-Canada reacts to AUC approval pause announcement

Public News
August 23, 2023
Solar install

MEDIA RELEASE

CALGARYJORDEN DYE, acting director of the Business Renewables Centre-Canada, made the following statement in response to the Alberta Utilities Commission announcement Wednesday about the approval pause and interim information requirements. 

"In the absence of the Alberta government removing the moratorium, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) took the least worst option. The speed of the decision is a good beginning, signaling to the market that they understand the severity of the market risk introduced by the moratorium.  

"Despite this action, a new layer of uncertainty has been added for developers to deal with, as the AUC says it is going to require new interim information on issues such as agricultural land, viewscapes and reclamation security for new applications. The AUC says these new requirements will be issued "shortly" and we encourage them to move with all speed in providing this direction to the market." 

Jorden Dye, acting director of the Business Renewables Centre-Canada, is available for comment.  

Quick facts 

  • As of the second quarter of 2023, corporate renewable energy deals in Alberta have supported nearly $4.7 billion in new capital investment and provided 5,300 jobs (since 2019). 

  • There are currently 75 solar and 20 wind projects that have been announced or are in the pipeline for regulatory approval in Alberta, according to the latest Alberta Electric System Operator long-term adequacy quarterly report.  

Background 

The Business Renewables Centre-Canada (BRC-Canada) exists to enable businesses and institutions to access renewable energy for their emissions reduction needs across Canada. This means working closely with buyers and developers of renewables and assisting them in shortening their learning curves as they figure out the best path to power purchase agreements. Our growing organization currently has about 60 participants from across all sectors of the Canadian economy.   

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Contact 

Hanneke Brooymans 
Senior Communications Lead, Pembina Institute 
587-336-4396 

Background 

Statistics: See our Deal Tracker web page for quarterly updates on community benefits. 
Submission: BRC-Canada submission to AUC on approval pause 
Fact sheet: Alberta's Corporate Renewables Procurement Advantage  
Fact sheet: Enabling Corporate Renewable Energy Procurement Across Canada