TransAlta scraps wind farm project as energy market changes loom for Alberta

TransAlta, one of Alberta's largest power producers, has canceled one wind farm project entirely and put three others on hold due to provincial rule changes and lack of clarity over the future of renewable energy.

In February, the Alberta government introduced new rules for the development of renewable energy in the province. The rules include the creation of a 35-kilometer buffer zone around areas deemed "unspoiled landscapes."

TransAlta, which is based in Calgary, says the new rules, along with the lack of clarity about the future of renewable energy in Alberta, have led them to completely cancel the Ripplinger wind farm project near Cardston, Alberta. In 2020, the company began investigating the 300 MW wind farm and conducted studies to assess its environmental impact. The project was expected to be operational in 2027.

In addition, TransAlta has suspended the following projects:

180 MW WaterCharger battery storage facility near Kohran
The 100 MW Tempest wind project south of Lethbridge
Pinnacle's 44 MW generator in west Edmonton
The cancellations and suspensions of these projects reflect uncertainty about the future of renewable energy in Alberta. This issue can have significant consequences for this province and its energy industry.

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