The Canadian government is investing more than $175 million in 12 clean energy projects across Alberta, including a microgrid that aims to provide reliable electricity to the Montana First Nation.
The funding comes from the federal government’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs), which will invest up to $4.5 billion in smart renewable energy and grid modernization projects by 2035. The program is designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil-fuel generated electricity with smart renewable energy and storage projects.
“The government of Canada is investing to deliver more affordable, reliable and clean power in every region of Canada,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
As part of this latest round of funding, Akamihk Energy, which is fully owned by the Montana First Nation, received $1 million to investigate consolidating its electric distribution infrastructure into a microgrid.
The funds will also be used to investigate energy flows within the potential microgrid as well as a meter exchange with the Alberta Interconnected Electric System, which operates the province’s electric grid.
Wind energy projects received the largest individual investments. Pattern Energy received more than $20 million for the installation of a 150-MW onshore wind project, while Innagreen received more than $17.5 million for its 105.4-MW wind project.
Featured image: Chief Leonard Standingontheroad and the Montana First Nation’s solar facility project. Credit: Atco.
