The MD of Willow Creek and Town of Fort Macleod are united in their opposition to plans for a 198-megawatt industrial solar project 1.6 kilometres southwest of town.
Reeve Maryanne Sandberg and Mayor Brent Feyter signed a joint letter outlining concerns at Monday’s council meeting.
“We have issues of major concern on both sides,” said Sandberg, who was accompanied by Deputy Reeve Glen Alm, Coun. John Van Driesten and chief administrative officer Derrick Krizsan.
Close to 50 people packed council chambers for the discussion.
The letter cites as concerns the Jumbo Solar and Storage Project’s proposed location could impact the proposed Highway 2 and Highway 3 realignment and could interfere with the future residential, commercial and industrial growth of Fort Macleod.
Sandberg said it is important to make Neoen Renewables Canada Ltd. aware of concerns before the company submits its application to the Alberta Utilities Commission.
Other concerns cited in the letter include taking good agricultural land out of production, and that the proposed site is within the intermunicipal development plan (IDP) area identified in a joint planning by-law of the municipal district and town. The IDP excludes confined feeding operations from the area immediately surrounding the town.
“Right now it seems this project goes against the principles of the IDP,” said Feyter, stressing the town is opposed to the location, not the solar and storage project itself.
Sandberg agreed, adding the municipality is not opposed to solar projects, but has concerns with an approval process that handcuffs local decision-makers such as her council.
Neoen held an open house Feb. 20 at the REO Hall in Fort Macleod to showcase the project, which would be situated on 1,500 acres and consist of 405,000 bifacial solar panels and a
71-megawatt battery energy storage system. It would generate enough emissions-free electricity to power about 70,000 homes.
The Jumbo Solar site is bordered by Highway 810 on the east and Range Road 265 on the west, Township Road 90 to the north and Township Road 84 to the south. The site was chosen for its rich solar resource, proximity to existing transmission and distribution infrastructure and land characteristics.
The project would create about 350 jobs during construction, which is to be completed in the summer of 2027.
