the federal government is earmarking $160 million for solar-power projects across alberta as part of ottawa’s push towards more clean technology infrastructure.
it marks the latest alberta-centric announcement from the federal liberals, with several ministers spending time in the province this week during the calgary stampede.
speaking in drumheller tuesday morning, federal natural resources minister jonathan wilkinson said the $160-million envelope would fund nine projects which will generate a cumulative 163 megawatts of solar power, along with 48 mw of battery storage capacity.
those projects are slated to cut greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, a number officials say carries similar reductions to removing 61,000 gas-powered cars from roads each year.
“alberta’s immense potential for solar power generation, combined with the expertise of workers and the ambitious planning of indigenous and community partners, is helping to power a surge in clean energy development in the region,” natural resources canada said in a news release.
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the funding is going toward nine projects, largely in southern alberta.