The Saamis Solar project could produce 325 megawatts of electricity if built to full specification. Newstock/Dreamstime.com

By Eli J. Ridder

CITY HALL

City of Medicine Hat will get response on solar park purchase bid by February

Jan 8, 2025 | 12:19 PM

The City of Medicine Hat will have an answer to its request to purchase the rights to the Saamis Solar Park by next month.

The city last year applied to the Alberta Utilities Commission for permission to buy ownership rights to the project.

Medicine Hat’s energy director Rochelle Pancoast says the solar farm is a “no regret” strategic investment the city can build up at a reasonable pace.

Even if the city acquires the rights to the project, Pancoast said in October it will only move ahead with construction if it makes sense financially.

Staff see investments in solar as a way to diversify its energy sources and potentially offset federal carbon credits.

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Its critics say the project is a poor investment and that the city hasn’t been transparent about its plans.

Staff say plans for how to build out the solar project will require council and regulator approval before any shovels go in the ground.

The regulator notified the city’s energy marketing director Travis Tuchscherer in a letter that the application process was considered completed on Jan. 7.

The AUC will issue a decision by Feb. 6, according to a recent update on the project page.