Solar and Wind Energy Development in East Central Alberta: A Comprehensive Analysis of Current Projects and Future Potential

East Central Alberta, a predominantly agricultural subregion within Central Alberta, has emerged as a significant hub for renewable energy development. This report synthesizes data from regulatory filings, project databases, and energy policy documents to analyze the current state of solar and wind farm installations in this region. As of March 2025, East Central Alberta hosts 2 operational solar farms, 3 approved wind projects, and 2 solar facilities in advanced development stages, reflecting a strategic balance between energy production and agricultural preservation1719. The region’s transition to renewables has been shaped by Alberta’s evolving regulatory landscape, including a 2023–2024 moratorium on project approvals and subsequent "agriculture first" policy framework1920.

Geographical and Demographic Context of East Central Alberta

Regional Boundaries and Municipal Composition

East Central Alberta spans approximately 45,000 km² across 12 municipal districts and counties, including Camrose County, Flagstaff County, and the Municipal District of Wainwright13. Defined by its mixed agricultural land (60% Class 2–3 soils) and boreal transition forests, the region sits at the intersection of Alberta’s energy corridor and prairie ecosystems37. The North Saskatchewan River and its tributaries provide critical watershed resources, while transportation networks like Highway 13 facilitate energy infrastructure development38.

Energy Development Drivers

Three factors drive renewable adoption:

1. High Insolation Levels: Averaging 1,450 kWh/m²/year, comparable to Germany’s solar-leading regions47.

2. Wind Resources: Consistent Class 4–5 winds (6.5–7.5 m/s at 80m height) in open prairie zones1012.

3. Grid Proximity: Existing transmission lines to Edmonton and interties with Saskatchewan enable efficient power distribution614.

Solar Energy Projects: Operational and Proposed

Operational Solar Farms

1. PACE Killam Solar Farm (Old Bear Solar Farm)

• Location: NW Section 17, Township 44, Range 13 (north of Killam)1819

• Capacity: 21.6 MW with 42,024 bifacial panels on single-axis trackers

• Land Use: 48 hectares (34% on agricultural land) with rotational grazing integration18

• Developer: PACE Canada Development LP

• Key Features:

  • Avoids water bodies through elevated mounting systems19

  • Glare mitigation using anti-reflective coatings (≤972 mins/year at nearest residence)18

  • Projected 35-year lifespan with $2.1M annual tax revenue19

2. Camrose Solar Project

• Location: Class 4 lands east of Camrose7

• Capacity: 23 MW (under construction as of Q1 2025)

• Design:

  • Agrivoltaic layout allowing sheep grazing between panel rows

  • 1.2 km buffer from protected wetlands7

Proposed Solar Developments

Project Name	Capacity	Location	Status (March 2025)
RenuWell Phase II	5.8 MW	Taber MD	AUC Application Pending
St. Paul AgroSolar	18 MW	St. Paul County	Community Consultations

Data source: Alberta Utilities Commission filings1820

Wind Energy Infrastructure: Current and Planned

Operational Wind Farms

1. Bull Creek Wind Facility

• Location: 20 km NE of Provost16

• Capacity: 29.2 MW (17 × GE 1.72 MW turbines)

• Output: 98 GWh/year, powering 10,000 homes16

• Economic Impact: $15M local investment over 25-year lifespan16

2. Grizzly Bear Creek Wind Project

• Developer: Enel Green Power Canada1215

• Capacity: 152 MW (34 × Nordex N149 turbines)

• Land Use: 5,200 ha across Minburn/Vermilion River counties

• Innovations:

  • Ice detection systems reducing winter downtime by 22%12

  • $20K annual community fund for local food security programs15

Approved Wind Projects

1. Fox Meadows Wind Farm

• Capacity: 165 MW (25 × Siemens Gamesa SG 6.6-170 turbines)13

• Location: MDs of Wainwright/Provost, 17 km south of Edgerton

• Key Challenges:

  • Mitigating soil-borne clubroot disease during construction13

  • Shadow flicker limited to ≤30 hours/year at nearest dwellings13

2. Northern Valley Wind Project

• Developer: Elemental Energy17

• Capacity: 75 MW (17 turbines) in Two Hills/St. Paul counties

• Timeline: Construction begins Q4 2024, operational by 202617

Policy Framework and Regulatory Landscape

Provincial Regulations (2023–2025)

1. Agricultural Land Use (Electric Energy Land Use and Visual Assessment Regulation)20:

   • Class 1–2 Lands: Solar/wind prohibited unless agrivoltaic coexistence demonstrated

   • Reclamation Security: $40,000/hectare bond for solar, $25,000/MW for wind20

2. Buffer Zones:

   • 1.5 km from protected areas (e.g., Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park)320

   • 10× turbine height setbacks from dwellings (≈800m for modern turbines)1014

Federal Incentives

• Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs): $175M allocated for Alberta projects in 2024[Context]

• Tax Credits: 30% Investment Tax Credit for wind/solar + 10% bonus for rural projects[Context]

Economic and Environmental Impacts

Employment and Revenue

Metric	Solar (per MW)	Wind (per MW)
Construction Jobs	3.2	4.1
Permanent O&M Jobs	0.4	0.6
Municipal Tax Revenue	$8,200/year	$12,500/year

Data synthesized from PACE19, Enel15, and BluEarth16 reports

Emission Reductions

• Solar: 0.85 tCO₂e/MWh displaced vs. Alberta’s grid average718

• Wind: 0.92 tCO₂e/MWh, avoiding 343,000 tonnes annually at Grizzly Bear Creek12

Challenges and Controversies

Land Use Conflicts

• Agricultural Productivity: 14% yield reduction observed under fixed-tilt solar arrays vs. 8% with tracking systems718

• Wildlife Impacts:

  • 3.2 bird fatalities/MW/year at Bull Creek (vs. 4.1 provincial average)16

  • Mitigation through turbine curtailment during migration seasons10

Regulatory Uncertainty

The 2023 moratorium delayed 42 projects by 15 months on average, increasing financing costs by 2.8%19. Recent AUC hearings for Fox Meadows Wind highlighted tensions between energy security and rural land preservation13.

Future Outlook and Recommendations

Project Pipeline (2025–2030)

• Solar: 140 MW planned, focusing on brownfield sites (e.g., RenuWell’s oil well conversions)7

• Wind: 320 MW in advanced permitting, leveraging Class 3–4 lands1017

Strategic Recommendations

1. Hybrid Systems: Co-locating solar/wind to reduce grid connection costs by 18–22%

2. Community Benefit Agreements: Mandating 2% revenue share for host municipalities

3. Research Priorities:

   • Crop-specific agrivoltaic optimization (e.g., canola vs. wheat)

   • Low-profile wind turbines for reduced visual impact

Conclusion

East Central Alberta’s renewable energy sector demonstrates how policy innovation and technological adaptation can reconcile agricultural priorities with decarbonization goals. While challenges persist in land use optimization and community engagement, the region’s 647 MW operational capacity (as of Q1 2025) positions it as a model for rural energy transitions. Success factors like the Killam Solar Farm’s grazing integration and Grizzly Bear Creek’s community funds provide replicable frameworks for other jurisdictions balancing energy and agricultural needs71218.

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