Public Notice

Tsuut'ina Solar Project – Public Comments Invited

May 29, 2025 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Tsuut'ina Solar Project, located in Tsuut'ina Nation is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by June 29, 2025 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
Environmental Review Process Alberta Region
630 Canada Place, 9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4G2
Email: paeab-erpab@sac-isc.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

Tsuut'ina Nation is proposing to construct a 30 megawatt solar development on Tsuut'ina Reserve Lands. The project will be owned and operated by Tsuut'ina Nation. The proposed project will be located on land historically used by the Canadian Armed Forces as training grounds but has since been reclaimed and is now used for community pasture, hunting, and recreational activities. The total project footprint is 55.5 hectares with a temporary footprint of 57.9 hectares and tree clearing of 0.25 hectares.

Project activities include the installation of photovoltaic solar arrays, a mounting system, inverters, collection lines, and a substation/control building. The project will also involve the construction of an access road and the installation of fencing around the project site.

The proposed project will impact one Class III graminoid marsh wetland which will be removed during construction. The project is also located adjacent to an intermittent watercourse but it will not be permanently altered. The Project does not intersect any designated Endangered or Threatened Plants Ranges and no wildlife Species at Risk were found at the site. There are no fish bearing watercourses within 100 m of the Project. Several bird surveys were completed of the site. During the fall migration barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) which are listed as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act were observed but no colonies were identified in the project area.

Indigenous Services Canada will be issuing a land instrument under Section 53 (1) of the Indian Act. Power generated from the project will tie into the Alberta Interconnected Electrical System.