Wheatcrest Solar Project

Prevailing Wage Communication

Starting on November 28, 2023 BluEarth has determined the Wheatcrest Solar Project worksite is and will be a prevailing wage worksite. This means all workers who physically prepared and installed the project on or after November 28, 2023 are entitled to and are paid a wage equal to other union-agreement solar workers with similar skills and experience in Alberta.

If you wish to report a failure to pay prevailing wages at the Wheatcrest Solar Project for the period starting on November 28, 2023, you may contact the Minister of National Revenue either online or by mail:

Online: 
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/about-canada-revenue-agency-cra/minister-national-revenue/contact-minister.html

Mail:
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, P.C., M.P.
Minister of National Revenue
7^th Floor
555 Mackenzie Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0L5

Project Development

With decades of experience, we have a team of internal experts to take projects from conception and make them a reality. Our team works in close consultation with government agencies and key stakeholders to site, build and operate our facilities responsibly. To learn more about our approach to project development, click here.

Development work first began on the Wheatcrest Solar Project in 2018. Over the last year, our team has completed environmental studies in the area, including biophysical and wetland evaluations, and consulting with local landowners. As we prepare to begin construction on the Wheatcrest Solar Project, in August 2022, we hosted a community open house for the public to learn more about the Project and meet our team.

In April 2021, we submitted our project application with the Alberta Utilities Commission (Proceeding 26496). The application included an environmental evaluation, participant involvement program, noise impact assessment, solar glare assessment, and summarized our overall approach to construct and operate the Project responsibly. In July 2021, the AUC approved the project and a permit was issued.

As the next steps in project development, BluEarth applied for a development permit with the MD of Taber and this approval was received in March 2022. The Project also progressed through the interconnection process, and the Facility Application for the Project transmission line was filed with the AUC in July 2022. In June 2022, we announced a power purchase agreement with the City of Edmonton for our Wheatcrest Solar Project.

We are committed to engaging stakeholders in the decision-making process for the project. We believe that trust is the foundation for long-term successful relationships, and we know that trust is only earned over time, by working together with honest and transparent communications.

For more information on the Wheatcrest Solar Project, please email us at projects@bluearth.ca or call 1-844-214-2578.

Project Infrastructure

The Wheatcrest Solar Project will involve the installation of bi-facial solar photovoltaic panels, trackers, panel racking systems, internal access roads, cabling, electrical inverters and other related electrical equipment. The project equipment will be contained within two quarter sections of land.

Transmission Line Development

To connect the Wheatcrest Solar Project to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System, a 138-kilovolt transmission line and the Wheatcrest 1039S Substation are being proposed within privately owned land in 22-015-18W4.

View the proposed location of the substation and transmission line.

If you have questions about the project or would like to provide feedback, please contact the siting team directly at 403-589-4156.