A 400-megawatt solar farm near Brooks, Alberta — the largest in Western Canada — has received final regulatory approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission and will begin construction this summer.
The $650 million Newell Solar Project will cover approximately 4,000 acres of agricultural land and generate enough electricity to power 35,000 homes. Developer Greengate Power expects the facility to be operational by late 2027.
"Southern Alberta has some of the best solar resources in Canada," said Greengate CEO Dan Foltynek. "Combined with Alberta's deregulated electricity market, the economics are compelling without any subsidies."
The project will create 800 construction jobs and 25 permanent operations positions. Brooks Mayor John Chicken called it "a game-changer for the regional economy."
Alberta now has over 2,000 megawatts of operational solar capacity, up from virtually zero in 2019. The province's renewable energy sector has attracted $8 billion in investment since 2019, despite political debates about the pace of energy transition.
The solar boom has created ripple effects across the business community. Equipment suppliers, electrical contractors, and land management companies are all seeing increased activity. CalgaryFinder.com reports growing interest in renewable energy service listings from both consumers and businesses.
Environmental groups have generally praised the project, though some have raised concerns about the use of agricultural land. Greengate says the land was previously used for low-productivity grazing and will be returned to agricultural use when the project is eventually decommissioned.
WestNet News covers Alberta's energy sector — from oil sands to solar panels.
