Summary
The Garden Plain Wind project demonstrates TransAlta’s expertise in working with customers in a variety of industries to provide renewable energy solutions. Our proven track record as the first large-scale utility company to invest in Canadian wind energy in 2000 gives Pembina Pipeline Corporation access to a competent renewable electricity provider and a strategic energy partner.
This wind project adds 130 MW to TransAlta’s growing wind generation fleet and will help advance Pembina’s carbon reduction goals. It was executed under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Pembina in May 2021 for the offtake of 100 MW. Under this PPA, Pembina will receive renewable electricity and environmental attributes for an 18-year agreement. TransAlta has subsequently contracted the remaining 30 MW to an investment-grade globally recognized customer looking to reduce its operations carbon intensity.
About Pembina Pipeline Corporation
Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading energy transportation and midstream service provider that has served North America’s energy industry for over 65 years. Pembina owns an integrated network of hydrocarbon liquids and natural gas pipelines, gas gathering and processing facilities, oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics services, and a growing export terminals business. Through its integrated value chain, Pembina seeks to provide safe and reliable infrastructure solutions that connect producers and consumers of energy across the world, support a more sustainable future, and benefit its customers, investors, employees, and communities.
Our Solution
With a business focus on environmental stewardship, Pembina is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, the company pledged a 30% reduction in its GHG emissions intensity by 2030, relative to its baseline 2019 emissions. The GHG reduction target will help guide Pembina’s business decisions and improve its overall emissions intensity performance while increasing its long-term value and ensuring Canadian energy is developed and delivered responsibly. One of the pathways the company is set to achieving its target is by increasing its use of renewable energy. As a strategic partner and one of Canada’s most experienced builders, owners, and operators of wind energy facilities, TransAlta was poised to deliver a renewable energy solution that can reduce Pembina’s emissions.
“We’re pleased to be working with TransAlta on their project and furthering our sustainability goals. Power Purchase Agreements are an effective tool to support the development of renewable energy infrastructure, lower emissions, and support the transition to a lower-carbon energy system.“
Scott Burrows, Pembina President and Chief Executive Officer
The Garden Plain Wind project is located on approximately 14,000 acres of privately owned land 50 kilometers north of Hanna, Alberta. The turbine technology in the wind facility comprises 26 Siemens Gamesa turbines. Each turbine has a nameplate capacity of 5 MW, bringing the total nameplate capacity of the wind facility to 130 MW. The turbine towers are 102.5 meters in height with a total rotor diameter of 145 meters. This turbine technology, combined with a state-of-the-art meteorological tower designed to serve as an independent source to collect wind speed and weather data, makes the wind facility optimized to capture more wind and produce more electricity.
The map above shows the approximate location of the wind facility.
The Result
The PPA provides significant benefits to helping Pembina achieve its emissions reduction goals, including securing cost-competitive renewable energy and fixing the price for a portion of the power it consumes. The 100 MW capacity from Garden Plain is expected to generate approximately 323,000 MWh of renewable energy and emission offsets over the term of the agreement.
