Canada’s Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault announced on Friday a new Alberta wind-generation facility in collaboration with Capital Power.
On January 1, the federal government granted Capital Power a contract worth up to $500 million to deliver renewable electricity to all federal institutions in Alberta for a period of 25 years.
It is one of two new energy partnerships launched in Western Canada as part of Public Services and Procurement Canada's 2030 emissions reduction goal.
The deal also provides opportunities for Indigenous participation, including facility development partnerships, employment and training opportunities.
Capital Power will provide around 250,000 megawatt-hours of electricity each year through existing renewable energy credits while the new Capital Power Halkirk 2 Wind facility is being developed.
The proposed wind farm in Paintearth will have up to 35 turbines and generate enough power to meet the average yearly electricity needs of more than 70,000 Alberta residents.
The project is currently waiting for regulatory approval. Construction is expected to begin this summer, and it will supply the federal government with 49% of its output when completed.
Last year, the federal government signed an agreement with SaskPower to provide clean power to around 600 federal locations in Saskatchewan. That wind farm is projected to be operational by 2024.
Together, the two initiatives will reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Alberta and Saskatchewan by around 166 kilotonnes, according to Minister Boissonnault.
"That is the equivalent of the emissions from more than 50,000 cars driven for one year. So, if you think about that, that's a great reduction right here in Alberta and Saskatchewan," Boissonnault said.
"These are concrete steps to ensuring that Canada remains a leader of renewable energy on the global stage and to help the fight against climate change."