ACT environment

Proceeding 27837  Register

Applications 27837-A001 and 28321-A002

Decision expected: TBD

Watch an AUC hearing

Overview

The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), the independent utilities regulator, will be holding a hearing to review the applications and submissions received to consider the power plant applications received in Proceeding 27837. The AUC issued a notice of hearing on October 20, 2023. As of February 20, the Commission has placed this proceeding into abeyance.

SPWC Development GP Inc. has applied to construct and operate a wind power plant, and associated Willow Wind 2708S Substation and battery energy storage system, designated as the Willow Ridge Wind Project (the project).

The power plant would consist of 31 wind turbines, with each turbine rated at 6.6 megawatts (MW), with a total generating capability of 204.6 MW. The project turbines would have a hub height of 115 metres and a rotor diameter of 170 metres. The power plant would also include a 34.5-kilovolt gathering system, which would be used solely for collecting the electric energy generated by each turbine and transmitting the electric energy to the proposed Willow Wind 2708S Substation.

The project would be located in the Municipal District of Willow Creek No. 26, Alberta, approximately 7.2 kilometres south of the town of Fort Macleod. Specifically, the project would be located within townships 7 and 8, Range 25, west of the Fourth Meridian, and townships 7 and 8, Range 26, west of the Fourth Meridian.

The Willow Wind 2708S Substation and the battery energy storage system would be located in the northwest quarter of Section 7, Township 8, Range 25, west of the Fourth Meridian.

Further information about the proceeding is available through the AUC’s eFiling System under Proceeding 27837.

Participating in the hearing

If you intend to present evidence at the hearing, you must submit your written evidence by December 18, 2023, and be present at the commencement of the hearing. Your written evidence should include your statement about your intended level of participation. Please include whether you or your representative will:

  • Attend the hearing.
  • Cross-examine any of the applicant’s witness panels.

To learn more about the review process, or for more information about how you may become involved in this proceeding, please contact us or visit the following webpages:

Summarized process schedule

The AUC has established the following process to consider the applications:

Process step Date
Applicant’s deadline to respond to information requests January 12, 2024
Interveners’ written evidence deadline January 26, 2024
Applicant’s and AUC’s deadline to file information requests to interveners February 9, 2024
Interveners’ deadline to respond to information requests February 23, 2024
Applicant’s reply evidence deadline To be determined
Oral hearing To be determined

The eFiling System​

The eFiling System should be accessed to view the applications and the other documents the AUC will be considering in this proceeding. The system is also used to file submissions and evidence to participate in the proceeding.

To create an account, select “New account” and follow the steps to create a user ID and password. If you have any questions about how to use the system please contact us at info@auc.ab.ca or 310-4AUC.

Documents being considered in this proceeding can be found in the eFiling​ System (which requires log in). Once you have logged in, enter 27837 in the “go to” section at the top left corner of your screen.​

Willow Ridge Wind Project