Alberta government fleshes out plan to meet its renewable power targets

CALGARY – The Alberta government plans to introduce legislation Thursday aimed at getting the province to its 30 per cent renewable power target by 2030.

The Renewable Electricity Act will set out a competitive process to add 5,000 megawatts of new renewable power capacity in that time frame.

READ MORE: Alberta NDP sets 5,000-megawatt renewable power target 

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The province estimates the program will result in new investment of at least $10.5 billion and create 7,200 jobs.

The first round of bidding next year will be for 400 megawatts of renewable projects that would start up by 2019.

READ MORE: Green groups want Alberta government to set legislated targets for renewable power 

Environment Minister Shannon Phillips says the winners of the initial phase will be ones that put forward the most viable and cost-effective proposals.

“These announcements will make Alberta the leading market for renewable energy in Canada,” she told reporters in Calgary.