St. Albert Villeneuve Solar Battery

CanWest Solar and Starlight Energy are partnering to construct and operate a new power generation facility that supports Alberta's energy diversification goals and strengthens local communities. The St. Albert Villeneuve Solar Battery Project is designed with multiple benefits in mind:

• It will generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of approximately 60,000 homes.

• The project site will incorporate cultivation and/or grazing areas and biodiversity-friendly designed, supporting agriculture and local wildlife.

• Located approximately 2 km southwest of the Town of Villeneuve on privately owned land.

• It will connect to Alberta's existing transmission system, north of Hight #16, via a transmission line to be built by Altalink.

• The project will respect existing land use while creating new economic opportunities

• It will connect to Alberta's existing transmission system on the east side of Highway 36, adjacent to the site ensuring efficient integration into the grid.

• Includes a Battery Storage System to shift injection of electricity into the gird to times when it is needed.

  
  

Our commitment goes beyond energy. We aim to deliver long-term value through local jobs, environmental stewardship, and a cleaner future for Alberta.

Project Details:

• Total project capacity = approx. 250 MWdc at panels and 200 MWac to the grid

• Estimated number of solar panels = 373,000

• Electrical capacity per panel = 670W

• Energy storage = 100 MW four-hour battery

• Electrical connection voltage = 240 kV

• Electrical connection location = Connects to the 240kV transmission line 905L, north of Highway 16, via a new Altalink transmission line

Livestock Grazing, Agrivoltaics and Biodiversity

At CanWest and Starlight, we design solar projects with a strong commitment to preserving agricultural use and enhancing biodiversity wherever possible. Our site planning process carefully considers soil quality, agricultural potential, environmental setbacks, and local wildlife habitats including those for raptors and migratory birds.

At the St. Albert Villeneuve Solar Battery Project, we will preserve cultivation and/or grazing activities within and surrounding the solar arrays. Where possible, we will also include biodiverse grasses to improve soil health, provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and promote long-term ecological resilience.

By integrating agrivolatics and biodiversity measures, we aim to create a project that delivers clean energy while supporting agriculture and the environment.

How Will This Solar Project Affect Your View?

• The panels at the St. Albert Villeneuve Solar Battery Project will reach about 12 feet at their highest point. They are single-axis tracking panels, meaning they slowly follow the sun throughout the day to maximize energy production - creating a low, streamlined profile across the landscape.

Construction and Operations

Once a final investment decision is made, construction of the St. Albert Villeneuve Solar Battery Project is expected to take 12-18 months. Activities include:

• Surveying the site

• Building low-impact access roads

• Installing screw piles to support the solar panels and small concrete foundations for inverters and the project substation (designed for easy removal)

• Mounting racking, panels, inverters, and the substation

• Installing the battery energy storage system next to the substation

• Completing project wiring

• Adding fencing, landscaping, and re-vegetation

Heavy equipment will be limited to what's needed for foundational work, such as a track-mounting piling rig, and a small number of concrete deliveries for inverter foundations. Panels, inverters and racking will arrive on standard transport trucks.

Construction will create local employment opportunities, including roles in surveying, civil works, electrical installation, and site restoration. Wherever possible, we hire local contractors and suppliers to support the regional economy. All construction activities will comply with local zoning requirements and are designed to minimize impact on surrounding land and communities.

The proposed facility will have a life span of approximately 30-40 years. Operations will be remotely monitored, with local contractors and employees providing facility maintenance, security, groundskeeping function, and agricultural activities.

Proposed Schedule

Environmental Studies: Completed in 2022-2023 and refreshed in 2026.

Open Houses: February 5, 2026 and Summer 2026

Provincial Regulatory Application (AUC filing): Proposed Q3 2026

Marc Stachiw

Director, Spruce Grove Solar STL Inc.

403-880-4939

marc.stachiw@starlight-energy.com

Don Scantland 

President, Lands and Community Engagement 

CanWest Solar Development Corporation 

780-242-7621 

don@canwestsolar.com