Ireland-based renewable energy developer DP Energy has secured approval for its 325MW Saamis solar project in Alberta, Canada.

The project, which received approval after a public hearing in April 2024, aligns with Alberta's renewable energy goals.

The Saamis solar park, situated northwest of Medicine Hat, will play a key role in helping Alberta achieve its goal of sourcing 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

The solar park will produce enough energy to power 250,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 300,000t annually.

Spanning 1600 acres, with almost half situated on a rehabilitated brownfield site, the Saamis Solar Park will house 600,000 solar panels.

The brownfield site, which comprises capped phosphogypsum stacks from fertiliser production, represents the largest of three such projects undertaken by DP Energy.

The company has previously developed the 64MW Barlow and Deerfoot Solar Park in Calgary, which began operations in 2023.

DP Energy's Canadian development portfolio also includes the planned 200MW Miyopiyiwin Wind project in Saskatchewan, in collaboration with the Piapot First Nation, and the 400MW Nova East Wind project, a joint venture with SBM Offshore.

The Nova East wind project will be Canada's first offshore wind project.

DP Energy Canada development head Damian Bettles stated: “We are delighted with the AUC’s approval for the Saamis solar park.

“The solar park is a fantastic productive use of the land which will create local jobs and contribute to Alberta’s emission reduction goals.

“The approval marks a significant milestone for the project and a critical step as the project advances towards the start of construction.” 

In October 2023, DP Energy received development approval from Queensland's Assessment Referral Agency for its 430MW Callide wind farm project in Australia.

Situated in the Calliope Range, 22km from Biloela and 75km from Gladstone, the wind farm will feature 70 turbines, each with a capacity of between 5 and 6MW.