- Annual supply of 79.9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable energy
for Lafarge's Exshaw cement
plant
- Located near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, ATCO's 38.5 MW Empress
Solar project scheduled to begin commercial operations in
October 2023
CALGARY,
AB, Oct. 5, 2023 /CNW/ - Canadian Utilities
Limited (TSX: CU, CU.X)
Lafarge Canada Inc., an industry leader in sustainable building
solutions, and ATCO Ltd., through its investment in Canadian
Utilities Limited, today announced that they have entered into a
12.5-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA). Under this
agreement, Lafarge's Exshaw cement
plant will receive one hundred percent of the solar energy produced
by the 38.5-megawatt Empress Solar project, meeting 34 per cent of
the plant's power requirements through 2036.
"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 aligns with the company's
broader strategy, Accelerating Green Growth while emphasizing its
ongoing investments to lower the carbon footprint of its operations
and scope 2 emissions. Notably, Lafarge's Exshaw cement plant has now committed to power
purchase agreements for both wind and solar energy, setting an
industry precedent.
"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. "We are proud to be at the forefront of the energy
transition, and in a position to provide solutions to customers
like Lafarge in reducing their carbon emissions."
Under the agreement, Lafarge will offtake 100 per cent of the
power generated from the Empress Solar project, which is scheduled
to commence commercial operations in October
2023, marking a step towards a greener, more sustainable
energy landscape in Alberta. The
Empress Solar project is expected to generate enough renewable
energy to offset approximately 43,000 tonnes of carbon per year.
Once operational, the facility will further drive ATCO´s commitment
to meeting ATCO's 2030 ESG target of owning, developing, or
managing over 1,000 MW of renewable energy.
About Canadian Utilities
Canadian Utilities Limited and its subsidiary and affiliate
companies have approximately 8,000 employees and assets of $23
billion. Canadian Utilities, an ATCO company, 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 operations); Energy Infrastructure (energy storage,
energy generation, industrial water solutions, and clean fuels);
and Retail Energy (electricity and natural gas retail sales, and
whole-home solutions). More information can be found at
www.canadianutilities.com.
About Lafarge Canada
Inc.
Lafarge Canada is a subsidiary of Holcim, a global leader in
innovative and sustainable building solutions. Driven by its
purpose to build progress for people and the planet, its 60,000
employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving
living standards for all. The company empowers its customers across
all regions to build better with less, with its broad range of
low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact to ECOPlanet. With
its innovative systems, from Elevate's roofing to PRB's insulation,
Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy
efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core
of its strategy, Holcim is becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C
targets validated by SBTi. www.lafarge.ca
Contacts
Lafarge Canada Inc.
Kristen Marston
Communications and Marketing Manager, Western Canada
kristen.marston@lafarge.com
ATCO
Colin Jackson -- Investor &
Analyst Inquiries
Senior Vice President, Finance, Treasury
& Sustainability
Colin.Jackson@atco.com
403 808 2636
Kurt Kadatz -- Media
Inquiries
Director, Corporate Communications
Kurt.Kadatz@atco.com
587 228 4571
Forward-Looking Information
Advisory
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute
forward-looking information. In particular, forward-looking
information in this news release includes references to:
anticipated benefits to be generated by the Empress solar project
and the virtual power purchase agreement relating thereto; the
anticipated timing of commercial operation of the Empress solar
project; Lafarge's continued expansion into renewable energy in
Alberta and the alignment with its
strategy, Accelerating Green Growth; ATCO's commitment to being at
the forefront of the energy transition; the renewable energy
generation output expected from the Empress solar project and the
resulting contribution to Lafarge's Exshaw cement plant power requirements through
2036 under the agreement and anticipated greenhouse gas emission
reductions; ATCO's goal of owning, developing or managing more than
1,000 MW of renewable energy and achieving its 2023 ESG
targets.
While it is believed that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking information are reasonable based on the information
available on the date such statements are being made and processes
used to prepare the information, such statements are not guarantees
of future performance and no assurance can be given that these
expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information
should not be unduly relied upon. By their nature these statements
involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and
uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause actual results,
levels of activity, and achievements to differ materially from
those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The
forward-looking information reflects beliefs and assumptions with
respect to, among other things: the development and performance of
technology and technological innovations; collaboration with
business partners, regulatory and environmental groups; the
performance of assets and equipment; and the ability to meet
current project schedules.
Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated
in the forward-looking information as a result of, among other
things: risks inherent in the performance of assets; applicable
laws, regulations and government policies; regulatory decisions;
prevailing market and economic conditions; credit risk; the
availability and cost of labour, materials, services, and
infrastructure; the development and execution of projects; prices
of electricity, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and renewable
energy; the development and performance of technology and new
energy efficient products, services, and programs including but not
limited to the use of zero-emission and renewable fuels, carbon
capture, and storage, electrification of equipment powered by
zero-emission energy sources and utilization and availability of
carbon offsets; the termination or breach of contracts by contract
counterparties; the occurrence of unexpected events such as fires,
severe weather conditions, explosions, blowouts, equipment
failures, transportation incidents, and other accidents or similar
events; and other risk factors, many of which are beyond control.
Due to the interdependencies and correlation of these factors, the
impact of any one material assumption or risk on a forward-looking
statement cannot be determined with certainty.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not
exhaustive. For additional information about the principal risks
that ATCO faces, see "Business Risks and Risk Management" in ATCO's
Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended
December 31, 2022.
Forward-looking information contained in this news release
represents expectations as of the date hereof, which may change
after such date. There is no 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.