Potential impact of siting restrictions on renewable energy projectsProposed projects located on Class 1 and 2 agricultural land and within 35 km of national parks in Alberta

Publication - March 11, 2024 - By Jason Wang, Karambir Singh, Grace Brown
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The Government of Alberta announced new restrictions on the renewable energy sector on February 28, 2024. The Pembina Institute examined proposed projects that could be prohibited under the interpretation of two new rules:

  • Rules around agricultural lands: Prohibiting renewable energy development on Class 1 and 2 agricultural land unless crops and/or livestock can coexist with the renewable generation project.
  • Rules around viewscapes: The establishment of buffer zones with a radius of a minimum of 35 km, around “protected areas and other 'pristine viewscapes'” where new wind projects will no longer be permitted.

Our analysis is based on Alberta's most recent direction to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) and statements made to media.

Tags:  Provincial Policy, Alberta, Electricity, Renewable Energy, Wind Power, Solar Power

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