Deadlines for Suffield Solar facility extended by four months by AUC

By Medicine Hat News on December 10, 2019.

A proposed deadlines to build the Suffield Solar facility has been extended by four months to August, 2020, the Alberta Utility Commission has announced.

Construction on the 23-megawatt power production array was begun this summer near Range Road 100 and the Trans-Canada Highway west of the hamlet of Suffield by developer, Canadian Solar.

The Guelph, Ont.-based firm filed an extension request this fall stating that considering progress made to the end October, it was likely more time would be required.

The AUC agreed to move the in-service date from the end of March to Aug. 31, 2020.

The $45-million project, earned a federal government innovation grant in early 2019 that will cover about one-third of the total budget.

This summer the developer announced it had signed a supply agreement with retailer Direct Energy for the power produced.

Three other Canadian Solar projects in the region – at Tilley, Hays and Jenner – have a total 94 megawatt capacity. They will supply a Government of Alberta procurement contract, and are required to be in operation in 2021.

Letters to stakeholders and landowners in the respective areas outlined spring 2020 as the commencement of major construction on those projects.