A solar project near High River that could power 5,000 homes is back on track after being delayed by the Alberta government.
Elemental Energy is developing the High River Solar Project north of the town on Highway 543, west of Highway 2A in Foothills County.
A bylaw granting land use amendments on the site was given first reading by Foothills County council in January, with several conditions that the company needs to meet before the project can move ahead.
Construction was planned to start in 2023, but the project was delayed during the provincial government's pause on renewable energy development.
The pause expired last February, and the Alberta Utilities Commission approved the project in the spring.
Plans call for an 18.5-megawatt solar farm, consisting of about 40,000 panels on 135 acres, that would supply electricity to Alberta’s grid.
Elemental Energy said the project would power 5,000 homes in the province.
In a 2023 report on financial impacts from the renewable energy pause, the Pembina Institute estimated that the project would generate about $340,000 per year in tax revenue and land leasing fees when operational.
