CALGARY, AB, Nov. 18, 2020 /CNW/ - ATCO Ltd. (TSX:
ACO.X) (TSX: ACO.Y) / Canadian Utilities Limited
(TSX: CU) (TSX: CU.X)
Canadian Utilities, an ATCO company, today announced the
completion of Canada's largest
off-grid solar project, providing the remote Northern Alberta community of Fort Chipewyan (Fort Chip) with clean energy
and reducing local diesel use by approximately 800,000 litres
annually.
"We are committed to assisting our customers and communities in
the transition to lower emission energy systems, no matter how
remote their location," said Siegfried
Kiefer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Canadian
Utilities. "Our solar project in Fort
Chipewyan, completed in conjunction with our partners, is a
great example of this."
In partnership with Three Nations Energy (3NE), which is jointly
owned by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First
Nation and Fort Chipewyan Métis Association, ATCO designed and
built the two-phased project which includes a 600-kW solar
farm, owned and operated by ATCO, and a 2,200-kW solar farm owned
by all three Indigenous communities and operated by ATCO.
"This outstanding project showcases how industry and Indigenous
communities can work together to develop sustainable and renewable
energy solutions that will benefit today's and future generations,"
said Nancy Southern, Chair &
Chief Executive Officer, ATCO. "Partnering with Indigenous
communities in a meaningful economic way is something we take very
seriously. Together with 3NE, we are fostering community ownership
and self-sustaining economic development through job creation,
investment in infrastructure, and revenue from the sale of clean
power."
Fort Chip, located about 150 kilometres away from the nearest
tie-in to Alberta's electric grid,
is home to nearly 1,000 residents who rely on diesel-fueled
generation for electricity. Each year, diesel is transported by
trucks on a winter ice road, which recently has only been open for
a six-week period. The solar project will provide about 25 per cent
of Fort Chip's electricity needs annually, reducing trucking and
consumption of diesel fuel by approximately 800,000 litres per year
– equivalent to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 2,145
tons CO2 annually.
ATCO was involved at every stage of the project's lifecycle—from
early days of conception and community engagement, through to
design, engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance.
"With this landmark project complete, we intend to replicate
this innovative model in similar communities, enabling remote and
Indigenous communities across Canada to achieve greater energy autonomy and
to lower environmental impacts," said Melanie Bayley, Senior Vice President &
General Manager, Electricity, ATCO. "Within ATCO, we are enabling
and accelerating the clean energy transition for our customers and
providing communities—including our community partners—with
sustainable, reliable energy alternatives."
ATCO has been building strong, mutually prosperous Indigenous
partnerships for decades, and currently has more than 50
partnerships, joint ventures and relationship agreements with
Indigenous communities. The company currently operates two solar
and three hydroelectricity sites in Canada, Mexico and Chile that generates a combined 72 MW of
electricity.
"Our people have a proud tradition of making our livelihood
from the sustainable use of local renewable resources. We are
committed to being good stewards of the land for future
generations. Reducing carbon emissions by replacing imported
diesel with our locally owned solar farm uses new technology to act
on these values in a way that will increase our energy security and
self-sufficiency."
Blue Eyes Simpson – V.P. Fort Chipewyan Metis Association; 3NE
Director
"We are already seeing the impacts of Climate Change on the
Peace Athabasca Delta. Yes, our Nations are dependent for jobs and
investment revenues on continued prosperity of the oilsands …
but, this doesn't mean forcing us into a false choice between our
fossil fuel industry and protecting climate and the environment. We
can do both. It all starts with what we do here at home,
cleaning up our own emissions like this solar farm will do for
electricity in Fort Chip."
Chief Allan Adam – Athabasca
Chipewyan First Nation
"The 3NE Solar Farm Partnership demonstrates how Cree, Dene
and Metis peoples of the Delta can work together to bring new
technologies into our communities. This builds the capacity of our
own tradespeople, workers, and contractors to participate in the
emerging green energy sector – just as we now play a major role
contributing to the success of the fossil fuel industry of
Alberta. We extend our thanks to ATCO, Alberta, and Canada for their partnership roles in the
Solar Farm."
Chief Peter Powder – Mikisew Cree
First Nation
With approximately 4,600 employees and assets of $20 billion,
Canadian Utilities Limited is an ATCO company. Canadian Utilities
is a diversified global energy infrastructure corporation
delivering essential services and innovative business
solutions in Utilities (electricity and natural gas transmission
and distribution, and international electricity operations),
Energy Infrastructure (electricity generation, energy storage, and
industrial water solutions); and Retail Energy (electricity and
natural gas retail sales). More information can be found
at www.canadianutilities.com.
Investor & Analyst Inquiries:
Myles Dougan
Director, Investor Relations & External Disclosure
T: 403-292-7879 C: 403-828-2908
Media Inquiries:
Leanne Madder
Senior Communications Advisor
T: 587-215-9115
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"anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will",
"intend", "should", and similar expressions.
Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or
events to differ materially from those anticipated in such
forward-looking information.
The Company's actual results could differ materially from
those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result
of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in
which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions
(including as may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic), and other
factors, many of which are beyond the control of the
Company.
The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be
given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such
forward-looking information should not be unduly relied
upon.
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release represents the Company's expectations as of the date
hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking information whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable
securities legislation.
SOURCE ATCO Ltd.