EDF Renewables Canada has reached a significant milestone with the completion of its Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Project in Cypress County, Alberta. This endeavor, located to the southeast of Medicine Hat, stands as a remarkable feat of renewable energy generation.
The project boasts 48 turbines that will produce a substantial amount of electricity, sufficient to power approximately 120,000 homes. Ryan Pfaff, Executive Vice President of EDF Renewables North America, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “The completion and commissioning of the Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Project is a significant milestone for EDF Renewables Canada and our partners, representing a total investment of $365 million.”
What sets this project apart is not only its scale but the collaborative spirit that made it a reality. EDF Renewables Canada owns 37.5% of the project, with the Kainai/Blood Tribe holding a 25% stake, and Desjardins Group Pension Plan and DGAM Global Private Infrastructure Fund II L.P. jointly owning the remaining 37.5%. Chief Roy Fox of the Kainai/Blood Tribe emphasized the project's significance to indigenous communities, stating, “Ensuring indigenous communities participate and benefit from economic development projects on their traditional territories, and beyond, is an important step toward breaking down barriers that stand in the way of achieving economic reconciliation.”
The project's sustainable ethos extends to its funding and support. In 2018, EDF Renewables Canada secured a 20-year Renewable Electricity Support Agreement for Cypress 1, and in 2022, it received funding from the Canadian government through the Federal Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREP) for Cypress 2. This program not only bolsters renewable energy capacity but also promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the energy sector.
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson expressed the government's commitment, stating, “The government of Canada is investing to deliver more affordable, reliable, and clean power in every region of Canada.” Minister of Workforce Development and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the Cypress 2 Wind Project.
Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf lauded the project's alignment with Alberta's journey to net-zero emissions and its support for Indigenous and rural communities. Reeve of Cypress County Dan Hamilton welcomed this addition to the region's diverse business opportunities.
The Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Project is not only a testament to sustainable energy but also to the power of collaboration, underlining the importance of renewable energy in shaping a cleaner, more equitable future.
