TC Energy spending $146M to build solar power project in Alberta

TC Energy Corp. has announced it will build its first Canadian solar power farm, a $146-million project south of Calgary.

The company said Tuesday its Saddlebrook solar project will be located near Aldersyde, Alta., and will have the capacity to generate 81 megawatts, enough energy to power 20,000 homes annually.

"This is the first utility-scale solar project to be fully developed and delivered by TC Energy in our history," said Corey Hessen, TC Energy executive vice-president, in a news release.

"This investment bolsters our ability to deliver low-carbon solutions for our customers and underscores our commitment to add renewable energy to the local electricity grid."

In addition to the solar project, in April, TC Energy announced plans to explore development of a 60-tonnes-per-day hydrogen production hub near Crossfield, Alta.

The company has also acquired more than 400 MW of renewable power via power purchase agreements in Alberta in the past 24 months.

TC Energy said it has obtained all regulatory approvals and permits for the Saddlebrook solar project and construction is expected to be finished next year.

During the construction phase, the project will involve about 140 workers, the company said. Two full-time TC Energy employees will work at the facility once it is in operation.