Travers Solar Project - Canada's Largest Solar Farm

The Travers Solar Project is a significant solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in Vulcan County, Alberta, Canada. Developed by Greengate Power in collaboration with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), this project stands as one of the largest solar initiatives in Canada. The construction of the Travers Solar Project began in June 2021, with an estimated investment of approximately $700 million. It was commissioned in March 2022, marking its first production and establishing it as the largest photovoltaic power station in Canada, with a nameplate capacity of 465 MW AC.

Spanning over 3,300 acres of privately owned, cultivated, and grazing land, the project site is strategically located to harness strong solar radiation, thereby optimizing solar energy generation. The solar plant is equipped with approximately 1.3 million monocrystalline bifacial solar panels, 153 inverters or power conversion stations, and a project substation that connects to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. This infrastructure supports the generation of 692 DC megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power around 150,000 homes annually.

A notable aspect of the Travers Solar Project is its environmental impact, with the capacity to offset over 472,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. The project has also been a boon for local employment, creating approximately 500 full-time jobs during its construction phase and employing about 800 people at its peak. The project has garnered significant attention for its role in advancing renewable energy in Alberta, a province traditionally known for its oil and gas industry. It showcases Southern Alberta as a promising location for renewable energy projects, contributing to the region's transition towards green energy. Additionally, the project has entered a corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with Amazon, selling 400MW of the power generated. This agreement aligns with Amazon's commitment to power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025.

In summary, the Travers Solar Project represents a landmark achievement in Canada's renewable energy landscape. It demonstrates the potential for large-scale solar power generation in the country and contributes significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.