CALGARY, AB, Aug. 23, 2021 /CNW/ - ATCO Ltd. (TSX:
ACO.X) (TSX: ACO.Y) / Canadian Utilities Limited (TSX: CU)
(TSX: CU.X) The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and Canadian Utilities
Limited, an ATCO company, have announced the completion of
Canada's most northerly off-grid
solar project, reducing diesel use by 189,000 litres annually in
the remote Yukon community of
Old Crow and providing them with
clean energy for decades to come.
To see this important project through to successful completion,
the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and Canadian Utilities developed a
first-of-its-kind Electricity Purchase Agreement that is a model
for effective collaboration in the utilities sector. The Vuntut
Gwitchin will serve as the Independent Power Producer, owner and
operator of the solar facility, while Canadian Utilities will
purchase the solar electricity generated for the next 25 years,
feed it into the grid and redistribute to the community.
"Within ATCO, we are enabling and accelerating the clean energy
transition for our customers and providing communities and
community partners with sustainable, reliable energy alternatives,
however remote they may be," said Melanie
Bayley, President, ATCO Electric. "With this landmark
project complete, we intend to replicate our innovative model for
effective collaboration in similar remote and Indigenous
communities across Canada,
allowing them to achieve greater energy autonomy while lowering
environmental impacts."
Beyond creating a reliable source of revenue for the community,
the reduction in diesel fuel use is in line with the Vuntut
Gwitchin's 2019 Yeendoo Diinehdoo Ji'heezrit Nits'oo Ts'o'Nan He'aa
Declaration, calling for concrete action on combatting climate
change.
Canadian Utilities, an ATCO company, was involved at each stage
of the project's lifecycle and is honoured to collaborate with the
Vuntut Gwitchin to help realize a clean energy future for their
community. For decades, ATCO has built strong, mutually prosperous
Indigenous partnerships and currently has more than 50 joint
ventures, relationship agreements and other partnerships with
Indigenous communities.
ATCO is also a leader in the global transition to cleaner fuels
and electricity—from the development of a renewable natural gas
facility in Alberta, to proposed
world-class clean hydrogen projects in Canada and Australia, as well as operating a fleet of
solar and hydroelectric power generation in Canada, Mexico, Chile
and Australia with a combined
generation capacity of 77-megawatts of clean electricity for
customers and communities.
Quick Facts
- Almost 200,000 litres/year in diesel fuel savings:
During prime operating periods, the Old Crow Solar Project will
produce enough electricity to meet the full load of the community.
This will decrease the operation of the existing diesel generation
facility by an estimated 2,000 engine hours per year, thereby
reducing the amount of diesel fuel used by an estimated 189,000
litres per year.
- The Old Crow Electricity Purchase Agreement: The
Electricity Purchase Agreement for the Old Crow Solar Facility was
made between the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and ATCO Electric
Yukon, which is part of Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO
company. Based in Whitehorse,
Yukon, ATCO Electric Yukon serves
over 19,000 customers in 19 communities across the territory.
- ATCO's northern roots run deep: ATCO, through its
investment in Yukon Electrical Company Limited, has been proudly
serving electricity distribution customers in the Yukon Territory since 1901.
- Clean energy solutions and ownership for remote communities
across Canada: Energy projects
like the Old Crow Solar Facility and the Fort Chipewyan Solar Farm
in Northern Alberta—the largest off-grid solar project in
Canada, completed in partnership
with three Indigenous communities—foster community ownership and
self-sustaining economic development through job creation,
investment in infrastructure and revenue from the sale of renewable
energy
About Canadian Utilities
With approximately 4,500 employees and assets of $20
billion, Canadian Utilities Limited is an ATCO company. Canadian
Utilities is a diversified global energy infrastructure corporation
delivering essential services and innovative business solutions in
Utilities (electricity and natural gas transmission and
distribution, and international electricity operations); Energy
Infrastructure (electricity generation, energy storage, and
industrial water solutions); and Retail Energy (electricity and
natural gas retail sales). More information can be found
at www.canadianutilities.com.
Investor & Analyst Inquiries:
Colin Jackson
Senior Vice President, Finance, Treasury, Risk &
Sustainability
Colin.Jackson@atco.com
(403) 808 2636
Media Inquiries:
Kurt Kadatz
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Kurt.Kadatz@atco.com
(587) 228 4571
Forward-Looking Information:
Certain
statements contained in this news release may constitute
forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often,
but not always, identified by the use of words such as
"anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will",
"intend", "should", and similar expressions.
Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or
events to differ materially from those anticipated in such
forward-looking information.
The Company's actual results could differ materially from
those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result
of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in
which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions
(including as may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic), and other
factors, many of which are beyond the control of the
Company.
The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be
given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such
forward-looking information should not be unduly relied
upon.
Any forward-looking information contained in this news
release represents the Company's expectations as of the date
hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking information whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable
securities legislation.
SOURCE ATCO Ltd.