Proposed solar project around Fort Macleod sparking concern – Lethbridge [Video]

The MD of Willow Creek and the Town of Fort Macleod signed a joint letter Monday expressing their concerns about the proposed Jumbo Solar with Storage Project in Southern Alberta.

“Both MD of Willow Creek and Fort Macleod have made it clear. We’re not against solar,” stated Brent Feyter, Mayor of Fort Macleod. “It’s just: where do we put it so that it’s in the best interest of everyone? So, we’re hoping there’s a win, win, win, out of this.”

The proposed 1,500-acre, 178-megawatt industrial-scale solar farm with a 75-megawatt/150-hour battery energy storage system is just 1.6 kilometres southwest of the town.

Preliminary designs show approximately 405,000 solar photovoltaic modules.

According to the municipalities, a major portion of the proposed site is located within their Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP), an area that was agreed upon by both parties to plan for future and long-term developments.

However, with the approval of the provincial …