In the past month, CAFES delegated at both the Environment and Climate Change Committee and the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee in support of three proposed large ground-mount solar projects in Ottawa. We are pleased to see that City Council has granted municipal support confirmations (MSCs) to all three projects in Kanata, Dunrobin, and Carp Airport.
Municipal support confirmations are a mandatory step for renewable energy projects to proceed in the Independent Energy System Operator (IESO)'s Ontario-wide long-term procurement bidding process (LT2). We are happy that Ottawa is supporting these projects in bidding for contracts.
CAFES has been following these projects closely, especially the Dunrobin solar project proposed by Westbridge Renewable Energy Corporation out of Calgary. We visited the site, spoke with a direct neighbour, and successfully urged the Westbridge representative to host an additional in-person consultation session, exceeding requirements set by the City (requirement is one virtual session only). At this session, we were able to discuss the possibility of agrivoltaics, and increasing biodiversity through pollinator vegetation. Westbridge also revised their plans to make more allowance for wetlands, waterways, and neighbours. In his comments supporting the MSC at ARAC, Councillor Clarke Kelly underlined that ground mount solar and agriculture can work well together.
It's important not only that these projects exist, but also that the proponents take the time to engage with the local community to develop arrangements where everyone benefits. These benefits can include more reliable power, investment in local jobs and supply chains, nature-friendly design, mandatory community benefits agreements, and strategies for agriculture to stay productive (ie. grazing, shade-tolerant crops, agrivoltaics). In our ARAC delegation, we urged the City to raise consultation standards for IESO projects to include in-person consultations, and increase permitted uses for Renewable Energy Generation Facilities with conditions such as safety and technical standards, nature-friendly design, and mandatory municipal host and community benefits agreements.
Overall, we believe that developing our local renewable energy capacity is essential to building a sustainable and resilient Ottawa. We hope that with these approvals, Ottawa can be positioned as a destination for clean energy and clean technology investment with clear regulations.
