ATCO drops wind farm from investment priorities

Gary Park

ATCO has pulled out of plans for Canada’s largest wind farm to concentrate its efforts on the rapidly growing economy in Alberta.

The Calgary-based utility said Sept. 23 it was withdrawing from a joint-venture agreement with SaskPower to build a C$250 million wind farm in southwestern Saskatchewan to serve about 150,000 homes.

Government-owned SaskPower, while conceding the cancellation creates some uncertainty, said it will rethink its options and may look for a new partner.

ATCO Chief Executive Officer Nancy Southern told a conference call her company must give priority to extending its gas and power line infrastructure to keep pace with Alberta’s growth, although “our commitment to wind power and green power is still there.”