The Canadian province Alberta plans to issue its first competition for renewable electricity projects in late 2016 as it tries to curb carbon emissions.
The provincial government has asked the Alberta Electric System Operator to develop a renewable electricity incentive program. Stakeholder engagement with developers, investors and other interested parties will start immediately.
AESO is expected provide recommendations on program design in May 2016.
The western province is Canada’s third-largest wind market with 1500MW online however new installations have slowed to a trickle in recent years.
Alberta operates Canada’s only deregulated electricity market and independent producers face low power prices and difficulty securing offtake agreements and financing.
It is the largest provincial emitter of greenhouse gases in Canada, due to its oil and gas industries and reliance on coal-fired electricity generation.
The traditionally conservative province in 2015 elected a left-of-centre government that is now making good on its promise to clean up Alberta’s environmental image.
Image: the Oldman 2 wind farm in Alberta (Mainstream)
