Proposed solar project around Fort Macleod sparking concern
Global News
A proposed solar project is facing opposition from nearby residents and elected officials from in and around Fort Macleod.
The MD of Willow Creek and the Town of Fort Macleod signed a joint letter Monday expressing their concerns about the proposed Jumbo Solar with Storage Project in Southern Alberta.
“Both MD of Willow Creek and Fort Macleod have made it clear. We’re not against solar,” stated Brent Feyter, Mayor of Fort Macleod. “It’s just: where do we put it so that it’s in the best interest of everyone? So, we’re hoping there’s a win, win, win, out of this.”
The proposed 1,500-acre, 178-megawatt industrial-scale solar farm with a 75-megawatt/150-hour battery energy storage system is just 1.6 kilometres southwest of the town.
Preliminary designs show approximately 405,000 solar photovoltaic modules.
According to the municipalities, a major portion of the proposed site is located within their Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP), an area that was agreed upon by both parties to plan for future and long-term developments.
However, with the approval of the provincial regulator, the project could bypass policies put in place by the IDP.
“We have worked so hard for the IDP and to have it in place,” explained Maryanne Sandberg, reeve of the MD Willow Creek. “We’re going to have a company come in and then they make an application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), which will make the decision, not us.”
In addition to both municipalities opposing the project, 22 private property owners will be directly impacted.
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