BluEarth Renewables, through its subsidiary, BER Hand Hills Wind LP, announced on April 8 the signing of a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Shell Energy.
The PPA will directly support the construction of the 130 MW Hand Hills Wind Project located within the Hand Hills south of Delia, Alta.
Under the terms of the PPA, Shell Energy will purchase the electricity and associated emission offsets from 100 MW of the project’s capacity.
The project is anticipated to achieve commercial operations in late 2022.
“The Hand Hills Wind Project is the fourth construction project we’ve announced in Alberta within the last 12 months,”said Grant Arnold, President and CEO of BluEarth.
BluEarth has been developing this project since it was acquired in 2012, including an increase in the nameplate capacity from 78 MW to 130 MW.
Carolyn Comer, Senior Vice President Shell Energy Americas said, “Projects like Hand Hills are integral to the energy transition as businesses, governments and consumers seek ways to lower their carbon emissions.”
Key highlights of the project include the creation of approximately 175 jobs at peak construction or 225,000 person hours of employment during construction.
It will also provides indirect revenue to the local municipality in the form of local services and supplies and contribute significant and stable long-term property tax revenue to the local economy over the life of operations
Energy to be generated is equivalent to powering approximately 65,000 homes annually.
Submitted
