The Alberta Utilities Commission Continues to Accept and Process Applications for Renewable Energy Development
The Alberta Utilities Commission states that it will continue to accept and process applications for renewable energy developments in the province, despite the government-imposed seven-month moratorium.
The regulator has clarified that while approvals will not be issued during the moratorium, existing and new applications will still be processed.
The AUC’s decision to interpret the moratorium in this manner comes after receiving over 600 submissions from stakeholders following the announcement of the renewables pause on August 3 by the Alberta government.
The temporary halt in renewables development aims to provide time for the regulator to conduct an inquiry into the impact of rapid renewable energy growth on agricultural land, system reliability, and the plans for reclamation of wind and solar projects.
However, Premier Danielle Smith has faced criticism for implementing the moratorium without advance notice or consultation, potentially risking billions of dollars in potential investment in renewables.
The Alberta Utilities Commission’s decision to continue accepting and processing applications during the pause indicates their understanding of the market risk introduced by the moratorium, according to the Business Renewables Centre-Canada.
Alberta has been a leader in renewable energy development in Canada, with minimal regulatory barriers and ample wind and solar resources. In the previous year, 17% of its power came from renewables, surpassing the province’s goal of 15%.
Currently, there are 15 new renewable energy projects awaiting approval from the utilities commission, with more than 90 in different stages of development.
Corporate renewable energy deals in Alberta have attracted nearly $4.7 billion in new capital investment and generated 5,300 jobs since 2019, according to BRC-Canada.
The moratorium applies to wind and solar projects larger than one megawatt and is expected to last until February 29, 2024.
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