The location of the Estuary Solar Power plant, across the Alberta boundary from Burstall Sask., is shown in this map provided by the developer IndyGen-GreenCells. Cypress County has withdrawn a request that Alberta regulators review a decision to approve the plant last June, prior to a current pause on green power project approvals.--Supplied Image
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Cypress County has withdrawn its objection to a previously approved solar power project that would be built in the far northwest of the county.
The Estuary Solar project would cover one section of privately-owned land near the Saskatchewan boundary by a U.K. development partnership.
The county applied to the AUC asking the approval be suspended and reviewed, arguing that Cypress County was a major stakeholder and had not been properly informed of the proceeding.
IndyGen-GreenCells submitted the 200-megawatt project to the AUC in January 2023 and was granted approval in early June.
The two sides met in Dunmore on Oct. 31, with discussions revolving on issues the company argued could be addressed at the local permitting stage.
County officials withdrew the application for review on Nov. 3.
The project is located near MacNeil Alta., southeast of the Sandy Point bridge at Range Road 11 and Township Road 204. It is located beside the site of the operating Atco Empress Solar Park with only one residence within 1.5 kilometres.
According to the company’s application the plan would be to complete construction by the end of 2024.
