Capital Power adds 54 MW capacity to Whitla wind farm project in Alberta

Capital Power Corporation is moving forward with the third phase of the Whitla Wind facility (Whitla Wind 3) that will add 54 megawatts (MW) in late 2021. The Whitla Wind facility is located in the County of Forty Mile in southeastern Alberta.

Capital Power has initiated the permitting process for Whitla Wind 3 with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) and anticipates filing its Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) application this summer. Subject to regulatory approvals, construction of Whitla Wind 3, with an estimated capital cost of CAD92 million (US$67.6 million), is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021 and will be constructed concurrently with the Whitla Wind 2 (97 MW) project to capture synergies. Construction of both projects is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Whitla Wind 3 will consist of 15 Vestas V-136 3.6 MW wind turbines, the same technology in operation at Whitla Wind 1 and to be installed for Whitla Wind 2.

Whitla Wind 3 will generate carbon credits that can be used to hedge against Capital Power’s carbon compliance costs from its Alberta thermal generation facilities. Capital Power is in active discussions with commercial and industrial customers for renewable offtake contracts for Whitla Wind 2 and will now include Whitla Wind 3.

Phase one of Whitla Wind (202 MW) began commercial operations in December 2019 and was one of four successful wind projects that was awarded a 20-year contract by AESO in the first round of the Renewable Electricity Program.