Guiding principles for energy projects

In support of internationally negotiated climate change targets (to reach Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050), Federal and Provincial regulatory changes have, and are, expected to increasingly reduce allowable carbon emissions. The City of Medicine Hat must transition to lower carbon solutions to remain competitive with affordable energy product offerings.

The City is looking at all the potential options to transition energy delivery, and is considering carbon capture, renewable generation, alternative fuels (including hydrogen and renewable natural gas) as well as other potentially viable solutions.

At this early time in the decarbonization transition, it is difficult to determine which technology or technologies will succeed as the most effective and affordable solution, and therefore the City is looking to take a measured and diversified approach across multiple technologies.

With so much uncertainty in this transition – whether it be political, technological, energy security concerns, reliability questions, market design unknowns, consumption shifts, and more – the key principles guiding the City during this early phase of the transition include:

Read more about each principle here.

The basis of how we approach decision making, for the Saamis Solar project or any energy project, is it to drive value for our community by:

• Ensuring delivery of cost competitive, reliable, compliant energy to local customers (to protect and grow our economy);
• Providing sustainable profits from the Energy Business back to CMH, and if not viable, transition to external source(s);
• Managing the transition risk to protect our taxpayers from shouldering any unintended transition liability.

Of course, not all principles can be achieved when pursuing a potential solution or mix of solutions, but striking the right balance to both pursue transition advancement while managing risk for the benefit of our taxpayers, our energy customers and our overall community will be in the forefront of the City’s decision making.