Feds boost clean electricity in border provinces

alent of 50,800 cars off our roads, and grow the economy right here on the Prairies.” of the federal government’s electricity consumption will be attributed to new solar projects within the province, which began operating in summer 2022.

This electricity will be attributed to a new proposed wind energy generation facility in Alberta, expected to be operational by Jan. 1, 2025. As part of the agreement, Capital Power will secure an equity partnership with local Indigenous organizations related to the project.

“These initiatives are an important step to support communities and protect our environment, by investing in renewable electricity,” said Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada.

The Government of Canada is taking action on its Greening Government Strategy commitment to power federal buildings with 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025 to help fight climate change and support local renewable electricity projects.

Last week, Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Hon - ourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced two initiatives in Alberta and Saskatchewan that support the Government of Canada’s commitment to investing in renewable energy and achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Public Services and Procurement Canada

(PSPC) has awarded Capital Power a 23-year contract valued up to $500 million, to power federal buildings in

Alberta with green electricity, effective Jan. 1. The contract value is based on an estimated 250,000 megawatthours (MWh) of annual electricity required by federal facilities in the province.

“This announcement is another step towards reaching our government’s emission reduction targets,” said Boissonnault.

“Our agreement with Capital Power and Saskpower will remove the GHG emissions equiv -

Minister Boissonnault also announced that PSPC signed an agreement with Saskatchewan’s main supplier of electricity, SaskPower, to power federal government operations in Saskatchewan using renewable electricity, which totals about 87,000 MWh of electricity per year.

With this agreement, the federal government supports the ongoing development of renewable electricity infrastructure within the province.

Our agreement with Capital Power and Saskpower will remove the GHG emissions equivalent of 50,800 cars off our roads, and grow the economy right here on the Prairies.

“Through long-term projects like these, we are greening federal operations, fighting climate change and creating a healthier environment for Canadians.”

Up to 25 per cent

The remaining 75 per cent will come from a new Saskatchewanbased wind energy generation project expected to be operational by 2024.

These projects include opportunities for Indigenous participation through facility development partnerships and/or employment and training opportunities.

Once these projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan are fully operational, the Government of Canada’s combined emissions in these provinces will be reduced by about 166 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (ktCO2e), which is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of more than 50,800 gas-powered passenger vehicles.