Lafarge Canada Receiving 79.9 GWh Annually of Renewable Energy from ATCO 38.5 MW Solar Project
Under a 12.5-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA), Lafarge Canada’s Exshaw cement plant will receive 100% of the solar energy produced by ATCO Ltd.’s 38.5 MW Empress Solar project to meet 34% of the plant’s power requirements through 2036.
The plant, located near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, will receive an annual supply of 79.9 GWh of renewable energy.
The solar project, expected to be commercially operational in October 2023, will generate enough renewable energy to offset approximately 43,000 tonnes of carbon per year.
The facility will support ATCO in meeting its 2030 ESG goal of owning, developing, or managing over 1,000 MW of renewable energy. The VPPA is through ATCO’s investment in Canadian Utilities Limited.
"We’re continually assessing ways we can reduce our environmental impact while actively pursuing sustainable solutions within our operations,” said Brad Kohl, president and CEO of Lafarge Canada (West). “Our collaboration with ATCO underscores our commitment to adopting renewable energy at our plants and sites, which is key to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels."
Lafarge's continued expansion into renewable energy in Alberta supports the company's long-term strategy, Accelerating Green Growth, and focuses on its current investments to lower its operational carbon footprint and scope 2 emissions. The Exshaw cement plant plans to power purchase agreements for both wind and solar energy.
“This agreement represents the strides we are making to support our customers in meeting their clean energy goals,” said Bob Myles, Chief Operating Officer, ATCO EnPower.
