Alberta’s energy regulator has approved a large-scale solar and battery storage project northeast of Stettler.
On Jan. 29, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) granted Red Willow Solar Inc. the necessary permits to proceed with the Red Willow Solar and Battery Storage Project.
The decision authorizes Westbridge Renewable Energy Corporation to move forward with a 225 megawatt solar plant & a 100 megawatt battery storage facility.
The project site located 18 kilometres northeast of Stettler, is expected to cover approximately 386 hectares with about 484,000 fixed solar panels.
In addition to the solar array, a new substation is expected to connect the facility to the provincial grid.
While the AUC approval clears the way for construction, Red Willow Solar Inc. must still secure development permits from the County of Stettler.
Under the Municipal Government Act, the county cannot deny a permit for a project that aligns with AUC approval.
The development permits are expected to address issues such as access points, municipal road agreements, environmental measures & emergency response plans.
Additional AUC approvals for transmission interconnections are anticipated later this year, which will determine how the facility ties into the province’s electrical system.
Stettler Solar and Storage Project
The Red Willow approval comes on the heels of the Stettler County council’s review of the “Stettler Solar and Storage Project,” a separate 25 megawatt project approved in late 2025.
While the Stettler Solar project is significant, Red Willow’s 225 megawatt capacity represents a nine-fold increase in power generation.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
