Pincher Creek MD sees potential energy developments

Local Journalism Initiative
·2 min read

The MD of Pincher Creek may see two new energy developments, according to notices that were reviewed in the May 14 MD council meeting.

These proposals include an Alberta Utilities Commission notice of application for a solar power plant and a notice of a community information session for a proposed carbon-neutral natural gas generator.

Sunrise Solar Project GP Ltd. has filed an application to construct a 75-megawatt solar power plant, and the AUC will hold a hearing to review the application.

The project would be located on about 500 acres in the MD, about one kilometre northwest of Pincher Creek, according to an AUC file shared with MD council.

The official hearing will take place virtually, Aug. 26 at 9 a.m., and stakeholders may make presentations at the hearing with evidence submitted to the AUC by July 5. To participate as an intervenor or to learn more, go to AUC.ab.ca online or reach out to lead application officer Victor Choy at victor.choy@auc.ab.ca.

MD council approved a motion to engage in the process.

Captus Generation will host a community information session at Twin Butte Community Hall on May 23 at 6 p.m. Representatives will deliver a presentation on a proposed clean power hub near the Drywood Generating Power Plant, in the vicinity of St. Henry’s Church.

The plan is to build natural gas-fired electricity generation while employing carbon-capture mechanisms to be carbon-neutral. This means capturing carbon out of hydrocarbon and pumping it deep underground.

According to information provided by Captus, captured CO2 is transported down a pipeline to depths of up to 3,000 metres and injected into a saline aquifer, where it is permanently stored in the rock formation.

The hub is projected to be near the Drywood Generating Power Plant, southeast of Pincher Creek.

“They’re going to be getting gas from either the TC line or direct from Shell,” Coun. Tony Bruder told council in the May 14 meeting.

“They’ll be putting up four new generators that will be constant supply, not just startup, and then their plan is to capture all emissions through a carbon-capture system.”

He noted that Captus is currently in its information gathering phase.

For more information, visit www.captusgeneration.com/the-opportunity.

Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Shootin' the Breeze

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