Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips says the contract to supply about 55 per cent of the government's annual power consumption will shave $3.9 million per year from the current expiring contracts.

Two green energy contracts are going to end by 2018 and the government has issued a request for information on the potential cost and best approach to building what would be the first such project in Western Canada.

Solar power projects are being lined up in anticipation of incentives from Alberta's NDP government.