The government of Alberta has recently launched the Renewable Electricity Program aiming to install 5’000 megawatts of renewable electricity capacity by 2030. It is intended to help province meet growing electricity demand, reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and achieve 30% renewable energy by that time.
The program will be administered by the AESO (Alberta Energy System Operator), which will select successful bidders during a 7-11 month competition process. The first competition will open in early 2017 with the successful owners/developers awarded at the end of 2017.
Today solar, hydro, wind and biomass account for only 18% of the total installed generating capacity in Alberta. Thermal sources like coal and natural gas still make up almost 81% (38% and 43% respectively).
