DP Energy Strides Ahead with its Alberta Solar PV Portfolio

Irish based renewable energy developer DP Energy has teamed up with Canadian energy and
infrastructure giant ATCO to deliver the first of its Solar PV projects in Alberta. The investment will see
the ATCO Group, through its investment in Canadian Utilities Limited, build, own and operate the
Barlow and Deerfoot Solar Park projects both located in southeast Calgary, whilst DP Energy continues
to support through to construction and operation.
The two projects occupy brownfield land comprising capped phosphogypsum stacks, a by-product of
fertilizer production that restricts most development opportunities. Solar PV is an environmentally
sustainable option for productive use of the land that also helps to meet Alberta’s green energy
targets.
At 27 MW and 37 MW respectively, the two projects will be capable of producing enough clean
electricity to supply the equivalent of 18,000 Albertan households. Unique for Solar PV projects of this
scale, the generation is co-located with urban demand for electricity, minimising transmission losses.
“The urban location and re-purposing of industrial land, differentiate the Barlow and Deerfoot Solar
Parks from other renewable projects. Seeing these move into the construction phase with ATCO is a
great milestone to achieve,” says Simon De Pietro, CEO of DP Energy. “Viterra Canada Inc., the
landowner, has shared our vision for this sustainable use of the sites and we have worked closely from
the outset to ensure compatibility with their existing environmental management program for the
two sites.”
“We’re pleased to be partnering with DP Energy and ATCO on these important projects, which is a
good opportunity to utilize the land to support new clean energy production in Alberta” said Kyle
Jeworski, CEO of Viterra North America. “Their plans for these sites align well with our overall
commitment to sustainability and our focus on minimizing our environmental footprint in the areas
where we operate.”
Construction for both projects is expected to occur during 2022, with commercial operations targeted
for Q4 2022. The Calgary projects are the first in a portfolio of wind and solar opportunities DP Energy
is pursuing across Western Canada. DP Energy’s larger Saamis Solar Park in Medicine Hat was recently
awarded a development permit for an expanded 325 MW solar PV project in the north of the City.
Similar to the Calgary projects, Saamis Solar Park will occupy phosphogypsum stacks on land owned
by Viterra Canada Inc. Targeting late 2023 for commercial operation, once built, the transmission
connected project will offset around 350,000 tonnes of carbon annually and generate enough
electricity to supply the equivalent of 90,000 households.

 

Iberdrola Australia completes installation of wind turbines at Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park

Iberdrola Australia is pleased to announce that the final wind turbine at the Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park (PAREP) has now been installed. PAREP is the largest hybrid wind-solar farm in Australia with 50 wind turbines and 250,000 solar modules. The project will be ready to connect to the grid in the upcoming months and once this connection is approved will provide an additional 320MW of low-cost green energy into the South Australian market. PAREP’s renewable energy supply will contribute to lower electricity prices for consumers and will further de-carbonise the South Australian economy.

To mark this major milestone, the South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining, Dan van Holst Pellekaan, attended site and said:

“Congratulations to Iberdrola and project partners DP Energy on completing this important milestone in the project which created more than 200 full-time jobs during the construction phase and a further 20 on-going jobs after completion, with many positions occupied by locals.

“Iberdrola’s successful introduction into the Australian market through the Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park provides a genuine boost to South Australia’s journey to post COVID-19 economic recovery.

“This innovative regional renewable energy project is an example of the way our state government is delivering on its vision for South Australia to achieve 100% net renewable energy by 2030.

“I welcome Iberdrola’s commitment to take a lead on the generation of renewable energy technology, including wind, solar and hydrogen, as their ambitions mirror the South Australian Government’s commitment to being a global leader in the development and delivery of renewable energy technology to lower energy prices.”

Iberdrola Australia’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ross Rolfe, AO, said:

“We are very pleased to see PAREP achieve this major milestone. Iberdrola Australia has been investing in South Australia since 2005 and our $500m investment in PAREP demonstrates our long-term commitment to the state’s clean energy transition. Once grid connection is approved, PAREP will significantly increase the volume of reliable and affordable clean energy available for South Australian customers.”

Project developer, DP Energy’s Director and Country Manager, Catherine Way, said:

“DP Energy is excited to be part of this substantial contribution to South Australia’s low carbon energy future. Watching such an ambitious concept be realised throughout construction has been rewarding, and it is great that Iberdrola chose DP Energy’s project for their entry into the Australian market.”

More information on the project can be found at www.iberdrola.com.au and www.parep.com.au.

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