The federal government is putting more than $26 million into clean energy projects across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced the funding July 4 on the margins of the Calgary Stampede.
Ottawa says the money will support 17 projects aimed at speeding up clean technology deployment, modernizing energy infrastructure, reducing emissions and building workforce and regulatory capacity.
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Projects include storage, renewables and methane reductions
The federal government says $14.9 million will go toward 10 projects focused on energy storage, solar and wind development, interprovincial electricity transmission planning, Indigenous-led clean energy work and workforce development.
Another $5.9 million will support engineering and design work for two facilities that would convert waste biomass into renewable natural gas with carbon capture.
Ottawa says $3.5 million will go to two projects aimed at reducing methane emissions from upstream oil and gas operations and advancing low-emissions cement alternatives that permanently store carbon.
A further $2.3 million will support three projects tied to higher energy-efficiency building codes.
Energy security highlighted
Hodgson said the investments are intended to strengthen energy security, reduce emissions and support long-term economic growth.
“Energy is the backbone of our economy — so by growing and modernizing the systems that we have, we can catalyze investment, generate jobs and prosperity, and build the strongest economy in the G7,” Hodgson said in a release.
Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said Indigenous-led clean energy projects can help First Nations strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and create new opportunities.
Part of broader electricity strategy
Most of the funding is being provided through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program, a $4.5-billion federal program supporting grid modernization, energy storage and renewable energy technologies.
Indigenous Services Canada also contributed $649,000 to Indigenous-led electricity projects for pre-development work on solar energy projects.
The announcement follows recent federal commitments to support intertie transmission projects linking Yukon and British Columbia, Alberta and British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Ottawa says the investments are part of Canada’s broader National Electricity Strategy, which aims to double grid capacity by 2050 while providing clean, reliable and affordable power.