Public invited to offer feedback on proposed solar play in Cypress County
By Medicine Hat News on July 2, 2020.
Public input is being sought into a proposal to build a solar power array northeast of Medicine Hat in Cypress County. The Alberta Utilities Commission will accept written submissions until July 22 regarding the “Chappice Lake Solar” facility – a proposed photovoltaic solar panel array that would comprise one quarter-section east of Bowmanton, Alta., and be capable of producing 15 megawatts. The location, east of Highway 41 on Township Road 150, would be connected to the Fortis power distribution system. The company behind the proposal, Elemental Energy, is the owner of the Brooks Solar facility near that city. It is in the process of constructing “Innisfail Solar” project – a 22-megawatt facility in central Alberta – and recently won regulatory approval to expand the facility at Brooks. Officials stated as a public information session held in Medicine Hat in November 2019, that construction cost is estimated at $25 million, and that it could proceed in late 2020 or early 2021. Only one nearby resident to this point has registered feedback on the proposal, according to the public documents filed with the AUC. That concern dealt mainly with weed control. Final written evidence regarding the Chappice Lake project is due July 22. Several dates in early July lay out deadlines for requesting further information from the company. The AUC proceeding number is No. 25451. 9-8
