A new 130-kilometre transmission line is set to be constructed in central Alberta, a joint project between ATCO and AltaLink. This infrastructure aims to enhance the province's capacity for renewable energy.

The Central East Transfer-Out project will transport electricity through the counties of Red Deer, Lacombe, and Stettler, supplying over 750 megawatts of electricity to Alberta’s grid. According to Melanie Bayley, president of ATCO Electric, this project will reduce grid congestion and enable more renewable energy projects.

“This opens up market access for renewable generators,” said Bayley.

The project, valued at $513 million, is backed by a $283.5 million low-interest loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB). The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) approved the project in 2021, and major construction is slated to begin this month.

Ehren Cory, CEO of the CIB, highlighted the project's role in meeting electricity demand and enhancing grid reliability. The CIB has allocated $10 billion for clean electricity projects, with this being the first supported under that portfolio.

Gary Hart, president and CEO of AltaLink, emphasized the importance of additional transmission capacity for supporting renewable energy sources, which require more interconnections due to their intermittency.

ATCO will construct 85 kilometres of the transmission line, while AltaLink will build the remaining 50 kilometres.

Source: calgarysun.com