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ARTICLE · 15 MARCH 2024

Renewables Update: Alberta Issues Policy Guidance As Renewable Approvals Suspension Expires

Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
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On February 28, 2024, the Minister of Affordability and Utilities (Minister) issued a policy guidance letter to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)...

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Reed Boothby
Reed Boothby
Peter Ciechanowski
Peter Ciechanowski
Mardi McNaughton
Mardi McNaughton
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On February 28, 2024, the Minister of Affordability and Utilities (Minister) issued a policy guidance letter to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) advising of proposed policy, legislative and regulatory changes for assessing renewable project applications (Guidance Letter). The Guidance Letter was released the day before the suspension on renewable project approvals expired. The Government of Alberta (the Province) plans to further develop and implement the new policies described in the Guidance Letter by the end of 2024 (with the exception of policies related to renewables development on Crown lands, which will come into effect in late 2025).

Background

Alberta has emerged as the national leader for renewable electricity development. According to the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, Alberta accounted for over 90% of the country's overall growth in new renewable generation and storage capacity in 2023.1 In response to this accelerated growth,

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