EPCOR officially opens kīsikāw pīsim solar farm, The Canadian Business Journal

EDMONTON, Alberta, Sept. 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The kīsikāw pīsim solar farm is now operational, generating renewable electricity to power the EL Smith water treatment plant. The solar farm will provide up to half of the factory’s energy needs and his 65% of the water needs of Edmonton and the surrounding area.

Harvesting energy from the sun with 30,350 solar panels, the solar farm will generate enough electricity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 14,000 tons each year.

“The kīsikāw pīsim solar farm is an example of what we are doing today to support a greener future,” said Stuart Lee, President and CEO of EPCOR. “This project will have a significant and lasting impact on environmental sustainability by enabling the use of clean energy to produce clean water. It makes us more climate resilient, and EPCOR would like to thank all our partners for their leadership and vision and for making it happen.”

Smart grids help optimize the use of solar energy

A key element of this project is a battery energy storage system (BESS) connected to the solar farm. Using the latest innovations, his BESS features over 1,000 batteries in two separate seacan-style containers within the plant’s fence line, ensuring energy is available for use when you need it most. and help strengthen the resilience of water treatment plants.

Earlier this year, the kīsikāw pīsim (KEY-see-gaw PEE-sim) solar farm was given an indigenous name by the Enoch Cree Nation (ECN). The name means “sun of sunlight” and is represented in Cree syllables as ᑮᓯᑳᐤ ᐲᓯᒼ.

This naming is one element of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between EPCOR and ECN signed in 2020, formalizing the strong and cooperative relationship between the two parties. In the MOU, both parties acknowledged their common support for the principles of the Edmonton Declaration calling for immediate and urgent action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“The kīsikāw pīsim solar farm is a great example of Edmonton’s commitment to decarbonizing its energy sources,” said Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “By working with Enoch Clean Nation, EPCOR is leveraging this sustainability project to advance reconciliation and environmental stewardship. We are delighted and commend EPCOR for their leadership on this project.”

“Congratulations Enoch Cree Nation and EPCOR. The opening of the kīsikāw pīsim solar farm is an important step on the road to a net-zero future driven in part by abundant clean energy,” said Canada’s Minister for Natural Resources. said the honorable Jonathan Wilkinson. “The Government of Canada is pleased to support this project that will contribute to the national effort to address climate change while bringing sustainable jobs to Alberta and Canadians and growing the economy.”

“Using solar power, such as that generated by the kīsikāw pīsim solar farm, to power the transportation sector, heat buildings, and power manufacturing and industrial processes is an opportunity for all Albertans. It is widely recognized as an essential pathway to a functioning economy for the world,” said Randy Boissonault, Canada’s Minister of Tourism, Deputy Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for the Edmonton Center. “As the energy industry evolves, Edmontonians and Canadians have that knowledge.–How do we lead the way towards a greener energy transition and a more sustainable and prosperous future for all communities?”

Naturalization of solar power plants supports biodiversity

Additionally, as part of the project, EPCOR has transferred 31.5 acres of land to the City of Edmonton to expand and improve its recreational trail network. Similarly, the company expanded the riverside wildlife corridor by 25%, and outside the fence he added more than three acres of grassland.

EPCOR has already begun reintroducing more than seven acres of the site to tree and shrub habitat, adding trees to facilitate wildlife migration and visual screening, and native plantings to increase biodiversity. grass is being reintroduced. The last of his 30,350 solar panels was installed in his March, and the solar farm began generating electricity earlier this summer.

“The kīsikāw pīsim solar farm highlights EPCOR’s focus on sustainable and responsible operations,” Lee added. “We are committed to supporting community efforts to address the challenges of climate change.”

Editor’s Note
Existing photos and videos of solar farms are available at tinyurl.com/epcorsolar. We will also post photos of the event. All assets are available for media download.

About EPCOR
Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, EPCOR builds, owns and operates electrical, natural gas and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, sanitation and stormwater systems and infrastructure in Canada and the United States. The Company also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. Headquartered in Edmonton, EPCOR is committed to conducting business and operations safely and responsibly. Environmental stewardship, public health, and community well-being are at the heart of his EPCOR mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy. EPCOR is Alberta’s top 75 employer and is ranked among the 50 Best Canadian Corporate Citizens in 2022 by Corporate Knights.

For more information, please contact:
Laura Ehrkamp, ​​EPCOR Media Relations
(780) 721-9001 | [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dda948b9-7d0c-4a09-a4a2-72f01264b6d2.

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