Statement: Saamis Solar Park decision

The City of Medicine Hat is pleased to hear our application to obtain ownership of the Saamis Solar Park project within Medicine Hat’s municipal boundary was approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). We will now proceed with closing the purchase and sale agreement that was previously executed with Saamis Solar Park Ltd. (part of DP Energy Group).

The AUC also approved the City’s application to build up to 75 MW, the intended first phase of the project, in accordance with City specific limits contained within Section 95 of the Electric Utilities Act. Before pursuing any construction, the City will need to apply to the AUC for an amendment to the existing project approval to reflect the intended smaller size and related phasing.

The City would like to thank DP Energy, the AUC, and directly impacted stakeholders for contributing to the regulatory due process that has led to this outcome.

Now that the City owns the project, we can properly pursue more detailed analysis that will inform how to optimize the value of this new asset, taking into consideration customer and community interests, as well as changing market and regulatory conditions. Resulting recommendations will be shared with City Council for their consideration before confirming next steps.

- Rochelle Pancoast, Managing Director of Energy, Land and Environment, City of Medicine Hat