Deerfoot and Barlow Solar

Sector(s)

Clean Power, Indigenous Infrastructure

Location(s)

Calgary, Alberta

Participation

$78.8 million (financial close)

Partner(s)

Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations, ATCO

Sector(s)

Clean Power, Indigenous Infrastructure

Location(s)

Calgary, Alberta

Participation

$78.8 million (financial close)

Partner(s)

Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations, ATCO

Advancing First Nations ownership of sustainable energy projects

Western Canada’s largest urban solar project will provide enough green electricity to power approximately 16,500 homes.

Solar panels with Calgary skyline in background

Solar panels – aerial view with city and sky in background

Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Our government is committed to building greener, more resilient communities through our infrastructure investments. The Canada Infrastructure Bank’s investment will help deliver one of the largest urban solar projects in Western Canada, and will provide Canadians with sustainable energy alternatives for generations to come.

The Honourable Sean Fraser

Minister of Natural Resources

The Government of Canada is pleased to work with industry and Indigenous partners to deploy clean, reliable, and affordable power across Canada. These announcements, with the Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations, are a great example of Indigenous-led clean energy leadership, helping to deploy 175,000 new solar panels. The Canada Infrastructure Bank is continuing to help deploy good, job-creating energy projects across the country.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview

Calgary’s economy is on the cutting edge of all things energy. I am pleased that our Government is making strategic investments in solar to support the hard-working Calgarians who power Canada.

George Chahal

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South

Investments in sustainable energy projects are vital to achieving our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. This $78.8 million investment will play an important role as we continue working with our partners to foster green and resilient communities, while building a more sustainable future.

Terry Duguid

Goodstoney First Nation

These projects set a precedent for Indigenous participation in renewable energy projects in Canada. Through collaboration with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and our partners at ATCO, we have an exciting opportunity to not only support energy transition but generate economic growth for our First Nations communities.

Chief Clifford Poucette

Chiniki First Nation

With our equal partnership with ATCO and support from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, we are fostering economic advancement for our First Nations communities for generations to come. Indigenous involvement in infrastructure projects such as Deerfoot and Barlow underscores the pivotal contribution of our voices in shaping an equitable and sustainable future.

Chief Aaron Young

ATCO Ltd.

For decades ATCO has partnered with Indigenous communities to create truly equitable partnerships and today we are thrilled to officially welcome Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations as majority partners in this important clean energy infrastructure. This is another example of how we’re enabling prosperity and a brighter future in the communities we serve.

Nancy Southern, Chair & CEO

Axxcelus Capital Advisory

We appreciate the trust the Nations put in Axxcelus to act as the exclusive advisor on this important opportunity. This complex transaction represents the best possible example of collaboration between industry, government, and the Nations to produce vital progress toward economic self-determination for these Communities.

Paul Poscente, CEO

Fast facts

Fosters economic resiliency for the Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 50,000 tonnes/annually

175,000 bifacial solar panels will produce renewable power from both sides of the panel

The Deerfoot and Barlow Solar projects represent the largest solar installation in an urban centre in western Canada.

Located in southeast Calgary, the 64-megawatt solar energy facilities include two sites – the 37-megawatt Deerfoot site and the 27-megawatt Barlow site.

Through CIB financing and in partnership with ATCO Ltd., the project supports the energy transition and economic opportunities for the Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations who benefit as majority owners.

This project represents the CIB’s first Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII) clean power investment to reach financial close in Alberta.

Benefits of CIB’s Involvement

Through the ICII, we are investing in projects which provide a service or direct benefit to Indigenous communities. Enabled by CIB financing, the Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations’ 51% ownership profile of the project is expected to generate economic returns for both communities.

Learn more

News Release

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