This program is not accepting applications at this time.
Providing funding for projects focused on the pre-development of a community generation projects through partnerships and tools.
In 2019, Energy Efficiency Alberta and the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre partnered to administer the Community Generation Capacity Building Program. This program is currently closed to new applications.
Community generation projects must be renewable or alternative energy generation and meet the definition of a Community Generation facility as per the Small Scale Generation Regulation.
Tip: Get to know the difference between micro-generation and community generation.
Types of projects
There were three different types of projects that were eligible for funding.
Type 1: Technical development activities
Type 1 projects included: feasibility assessments, land use agreements, financial assessments, stakeholder engagement, environmental assessments, wildlife studies, drainage studies, hydrological studies, and wage subsidies for a project manager.
Type 2: Partnership development activities
Type 2 projects supported partnerships for the development of a community generation facility. This included: legal services, financial analysis, community benefits agreement or community benefits statement support, or other expenses to establish partnerships.
Type 3: Development of tools and training
Type 3 projects included the development of a tool that could be leveraged by the renewable energy industry to advance community generation facility development.
Tip: Watch the program webinar to learn more about the program.
Successful Applicants
| Successful Applicant | Project Description |
Lethbridge County Stewart Siding Solar Farm | This will include land use agreements, feasibility assessments, financial analysis, stakeholder engagement, environmental assessments, and wildlife studies for a solar PV project. |
Municipal District of Taber RenuWell Solar Development Project | Re-purposing abandoned oil and gas infrastructure for small scale generation. This project proposes the creation an inventory of abandoned and orphan leases throughout the MD, rank them according to their value for community solar development and explore the potential of creating co-ops to generate power for irrigation. |
Mountain View County Solar PV Study | Update the existing feasibility study, complete an interconnectivity study and a financial assessment study for a Distributed Generation solar PV system. |
Municipal District of Acadia #34 Bull Pound Solar Project | Activities including environmental studies, stakeholder engagement, engineering, technical studies, detailed electrical interconnection studies and regulatory applications to support the development and construction of a specific, community scale ground based solar installation |
Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development Municipal Leadership on Community Generation | The Pembina Institute will develop resource materials and leadership training opportunities to build the capacity of municipal leaders (mayors, chief administrative officers, and interested staff or councillors) to engage in community generation. |
Red Deer County Springbrook Solar Project | To explore the environmental and engineering feasibility of a ground-mounted solar project located in Red Deer County, on Red Deer Regional Airport land. |
Renfrew Community Association Solar Garden | Evaluation for the development of a solar photovoltaic generation facility that can provide power and educational opportunities for the members of the Renfrew Community Association and the City of Calgary. |
Town of Banff Geothermal Exploration Program: Renewable Electricity and Heating Feasibility Study | Feasibility study to explore heat and electricity generation from one or more geothermal energy facilities. Includes: geophysical study, permitting, subsurface analysis, conceptual design, preliminary engineering, economic evaluation, and other. |
Town of Hanna Renewable Energy Resource Inventory | Feasibility study to develop renewable energy resource inventory for the Town of Hanna |
Town of Oyen Solar Project | Activities including stakeholder engagement, environmental assessments, technical studies, detailed electrical interconnection studies and regulatory applications to support the development and construction of a specific, utility scale ground based solar installation. |
| Village of Longview Community Solar Project | Work including scoping, design, technical studies, community engagement, financial modelling and implementation requirements for a distribution-connected project that is planned to generate power under the Alberta Community Generation Program or to private purchasers of electricity. The solar site offers an ideal location on Village owned land that is accessible by highway on the north-west side of town, with ideal south facing exposure and adjacent to the Fortis grid distribution system running alongside the property. |
Vulcan County Solar Project | Activities including environmental studies, stakeholder engagement, engineering, technical studies, detailed electrical interconnection studies and regulatory applications to support the development and construction of a specific, utility scale ground based solar installation |
Save money. Save the planet—it’s a win-win
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