Approval Process KNEEHILL SOLAR GENERATION … Solar... · KNEEHILL SOLAR GENERATION FACILITY...

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CONTACT INFORMATION Your comments and concerns are important to us. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about this project or if you would like to share information with us. Call us toll free at: 1-855-420-5775 or contact the project planner directly: Kathleen Little Right-of-Way Planning ATCO 10035 -105 Street, Edmonton AB T5J 2V6 Phone: 780-508-4893 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kneehillsolar.ca Fax: 780-420-5030 Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Phone: 780-427-4903 (For toll-free, dial 310-0000 first) Email: [email protected] KNEEHILL SOLAR GENERATION FACILITY PROJECT June 2017 This newsletter provides you with information about a new solar generation facility being planned in your area. This package provides important project information and outlines our public consultation process. We invite any comments, questions or concerns you may have. The planned Kneehill Solar Generation Facility will be located approximately 2.5 kilometres (km) northwest of Three Hills, AB. If approved, the project will include the construction of a 25 megawatt (MW) solar generation facility to be located within SW 13-32-24 W4M. The project has the potential to generate approximately 44,000 megawatt hours (MWh) annually, which is enough to power an average of approximately 6,000 households. Total area of the planned project site will be approximately 160 acres. Components required to make up the facility are described within the Project Components section of this newsletter and the enclosed Technical Details fact sheet. ATCO and Samsung C&T are seeking your input on how this project may affect you. If you are in the direct vicinity of the planned facilities, ATCO will contact you in the coming weeks. Project Partners ATCO and Samsung C&T (the “Companies”) formed a partnership to provide utility-scale solar solutions in Alberta. The partnership leverages the capabilities and experience of both companies in the development, construction and operation of utility scale and non-utility scale solar projects to best serve Alberta’s needs. ATCO has decades of experience and industry- leading expertise in developing, building and operating independent power generation facilities and provides customers with custom, cost-effective power solutions. The company has 15 power generation stations ranging from 32 to 780 MW; 11,000 km of transmission line; 69,000 km of distribution line; 187 substations; over 300 telecommunication sites; 15 small power plants in isolated communities and a system operations centre. ATCO is an Alberta based company with headquarters in Calgary. Samsung C&T has extensive experience developing solar facilities and other generation projects, and has done so globally. The company has executed all stages of utility-scale and non-utility scale projects with various solar technologies in different applications. The list of projects includes two 100 MW solar projects in Ontario, which represent some of the largest solar facilities in Canada, each powering more than 17,000 Canadian homes. Included in this package • Technical details of project • Planned site map • AUC brochure: Public Involvement in a Proposed Utility Development • Reply form and postage paid envelope Alberta’s electrical system is regulated by the AUC, an independent agency of the province that ensures the fair and responsible delivery of utility services. Before ATCO and Samsung C&T can begin construction of the project, the AUC must approve the facilities application, which includes details such as location of the power plant facilities and connection to the electrical system. For more information about how you can participate in the AUC approval process, please refer to the enclosed AUC brochure, Public Involvement in a Proposed Utility Development. The consultation process for this project is ongoing. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns or comments regarding this project. You can provide feedback and share other information using the enclosed reply form and postage paid envelope, by contacting us (toll free) at 1-855-420-5775, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Approval Process Next Steps

Transcript of Approval Process KNEEHILL SOLAR GENERATION … Solar... · KNEEHILL SOLAR GENERATION FACILITY...

CONTACT INFORMATION

Your comments and concerns are important to us. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about this project or if you would like to share information with us.

Call us toll free at: 1-855-420-5775 or contact the project planner directly:

Kathleen LittleRight-of-Way Planning ATCO10035-105 Street, Edmonton AB T5J 2V6

Phone: 780-508-4893Email: [email protected] Website: www.kneehillsolar.caFax: 780-420-5030

Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)Phone: 780-427-4903(For toll-free, dial 310-0000 first)Email: [email protected]

KNEEHILL SOLAR GENERATION FACILITY PROJECT

June 2017

This newsletter provides you with information about a new solar generation facility being planned in your area. This package provides important project information and outlines our public consultation process. We invite any comments, questions or concerns you may have.

The planned Kneehill Solar Generation Facility will be located approximately 2.5 kilometres (km) northwest of Three Hills, AB. If approved, the project will include the construction of a 25 megawatt (MW) solar generation facility to be located within SW 13-32-24 W4M. The project has the potential to generate approximately 44,000 megawatt hours (MWh) annually, which is enough to power an average of approximately 6,000 households. Total area of the planned project site will be approximately 160 acres. Components required to make up the facility are described within the Project Components section of this newsletter and the enclosed Technical Details fact sheet.

ATCO and Samsung C&T are seeking your input on how this project may affect you. If you are in the direct vicinity of the planned facilities, ATCO will contact you in the coming weeks.

Project PartnersATCO and Samsung C&T (the “Companies”) formed a partnership to provide utility-scale solar solutions in Alberta. The partnership leverages the capabilities and experience of both companies in the development, construction and operation of utility scale and non-utility scale solar projects to best serve Alberta’s needs.

ATCO has decades of experience and industry-leading expertise in developing, building and operating independent power generation facilities and provides customers with custom, cost-effective power solutions. The company has 15 power generation stations ranging from 32 to 780 MW; 11,000 km of transmission line; 69,000 km of distribution line; 187 substations; over 300 telecommunication sites; 15 small power plants in isolated communities and a system operations centre. ATCO is an Alberta based company with headquarters in Calgary.

Samsung C&T has extensive experience developing solar facilities and other generation projects, and has done so globally. The company has executed all stages of utility-scale and non-utility scale projects with various solar technologies in different applications. The list of projects includes two 100 MW solar projects in Ontario, which represent some of the largest solar facilities in Canada, each powering more than 17,000 Canadian homes.

Included in this package• Technical details of project• Planned site map• AUC brochure: Public Involvement in a

Proposed Utility Development• Reply form and postage paid envelope

Alberta’s electrical system is regulated by the AUC, an independent agency of the province that ensures the fair and responsible delivery of utility services. Before ATCO and Samsung C&T can begin construction of the project, the AUC must approve the facilities application, which includes details such as location of the power plant facilities and connection to the electrical system. For more information about how you can participate in the AUC approval process, please refer to the enclosed AUC brochure, Public Involvement in a Proposed Utility Development.

The consultation process for this project is ongoing. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns or comments regarding this project. You can provide feedback and share other information using the enclosed reply form and postage paid envelope, by contacting us (toll free) at 1-855-420-5775, or by emailing us at [email protected].

Approval Process

Next Steps

LOCAL COMMUNITY BENEFITS

Municipal Renewable EnergySolar projects produce clean, reliable electricity for the residents of Alberta. As the Government of Alberta seeks to phase out existing coal-fired power plants, renewable energy sources will meet the demand of electricity in the province. The solar project allows for the reduction of air emissions and greenhouse gas emissions related to traditional electricity production thereby improving the air quality for all Albertans.

Construction JobsThe construction of the solar project will create local construction jobs. In addition, there may be opportunities for operator positions once the facility is operational.

Economic Benefits During ConstructionDuring the construction phase of the project, the local area will experience benefits and opportunities for contract services. The opportunities for the hospitality industry may include accommodations and food. In addition, ancillary service suppliers such as fuel and hardware supplies may be required throughout construction.

Education OpportunitiesUtility-scale solar projects are relatively new to Alberta, which provides an opportunity for us to educate Albertans of the new technology and equipment being used. The Companies anticipate using signage to explain the project and are willing to present solar and project related information to local community schools.

Property TaxesDuring operations, the solar generation facility will generate property tax revenue, which is paid to the local municipality.

Our research indicates that you are in the vicinity of the planned site for the Kneehill Solar Generation Facility Project.

We would like to meet with you to gather information about the area and answer any questions you may have.

If you have an interest in lands located within 800 metres, you will be contacted by an ATCO representative to further discuss the project and address any questions or concerns you may have.

In addition to the in-person and telephone consultations that ATCO will continue to undertake, we invite anyone who is interested in this project to:

• Provide feedback and share other information using the enclosed reply form and postage paid envelope, and

• Be a part of the conversation. If you have any questions, concerns or other information regarding this project, we want to hear from you.

When consultations have been completed, the Companies will submit a Power Plant and Substation Application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to obtain approval for the construction and operation of the planned facility.

Generation Facility Site Location Prior to consultation with landholders, the Companies considered suitable site location for the generation facility. The Companies considered numerous constraints and barriers including:• Proximity to residences• Environmentally sensitive areas• Existing infrastructure (i.e.

roads, highways, pipelines, telecommunication towers and power lines)

• Planned development• Agriculture operations• Other special considerations

(i.e. amount of available land and access roads)

• Landscape constraints

The site selected for the project was identified as a suitable location based on the above criteria.

THE SCHEDULE

project notification

JUNE 2017

Applications filed with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)

JULY 2017

AUC process continues

if approval is granted by the AUC, construction begins

MID-SPRING 2018JUNE 2017

consultation beginsPublic consultation

begins sharing information about the project in order to find the best options.

We gather your input. Based on this input and other factors, the facility is further designed.

ATCO and Samsung C&T submit an application to the AUC to build the proposed facility.

The AUC reviews the application in a public process.

If approved, construction of the new facility begins.

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONa continuous process that occurs throughout the life of the project

facility completed and operating

EARLY SPRING 2019

Project Components

• Approximately 88,000 solar panels (320 – 340 watts each) mounted on fixed racking systems which are secured to the ground

• Approximately up to 20 inverters and 10 transformers will be housed within up to 10 middle voltage stations

• Underground cables• Access roads within the site location• Perimeter security fence• Temporary construction/storage areas

for equipment and material during construction

*Note: Details may change as the project develops and the design is finalized.

The Process

Noise and Emissions

There are no air or greenhouse gas emissions associated with the planned project once operational.

It is anticipated that there will be no noticeable change to the existing noise levels resulting from the project. A noise study will be completed in accordance with the requirements of the AUC Rule 012 “Noise Control” in order to demonstrate compliance.

Landowners may experience some additional noise during the construction phase of the project. Construction activities are typically planned to take place during normal daytime and evening hours, however some weekend work may be required. Work will be completed in accordance with local policy and the AUC Rule 012 regulations for noise control to minimize disturbance to the surrounding community.