The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO, Canada) has unveiled the results of the second and third rounds of the Renewable Energy Programme (REP), referred to as REP Round 2 and REP Round 3.
REP Round 2 attributed 363 MW of wind power generation capacity (above the 300 MW initially available) at a weighted average bid price of CAD$38.69/MWh (US$28.63/MWh) to 4 companies. The largest project, the 202 MW Cypress Wind power project in Medicine Hat, was awarded to EDF Renewables. REP Round 3 awarded three projects totalling 400 MW at a weighted average bid price of CAD$40.14/MWh (US$29.7/MWh) to 2 companies: TransAlta won the 207 MW Windrise wind project, while Potentia Renewables won the 122 MW Jenner and 71 MW Jenner-2 wind power projects. Both tender rounds were oversubscribed, since 300 MW were offered in the REP Round 2. The selected projects have signed 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the AESO. Their construction is set to start in 2020, with commercial operation slated for 2021.
In Alberta, the wind power capacity currently stands at 1.5 GW, out of a total Canadian operational capacity of 12 GW. The development of the projects will help the state to reach its target of sourcing 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, which will be reached with the development of 5,000 MW of renewable capacity.