Westbridge Secures Key Approval for Major Alberta Solar and Battery Project

CALGARY, AB – January 29, 2026 – Westbridge Renewable Energy has cleared a significant regulatory hurdle for its Red Willow Solar and Battery Project, securing power plant and substation approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). While a crucial milestone that moves the large-scale project closer to construction, it arrives amidst a period of profound uncertainty and shifting policies that have chilled investment in Alberta's once-booming renewable energy sector.

A Major Step Forward

The approval grants Westbridge's subsidiary, Red Willow Solar Inc., the authority to construct and operate a hybrid renewable energy facility in Stettler County, Alberta. The project is designed to be a substantial contributor to the provincial grid, consisting of a solar power plant with an approved capacity of up to 225 megawatts (MWac) and an integrated 200 megawatt-hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

This decision marks the fourth of Westbridge's five Alberta-based projects to receive such approval from the AUC, following similar green lights for its Georgetown, Sunnynook, and Dolcy projects. The company has successfully navigated the regulatory process, advancing the Red Willow project from concept to near "ready-to-build" status in just over three years.

"This approval is further recognition of the teams proven ability to originate, design and deliver successful approval of greenfield utility-scale Solar and BESS projects," commented Stefano Romanin, Director and CEO of Westbridge, in a statement. The company noted it anticipates filing for interconnection approvals with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) within the calendar year, the next critical step towards breaking ground.

Navigating Alberta's Green Gauntlet

The approval for Red Willow comes as developers contend with a dramatically altered landscape for renewable energy in Alberta. The province, which accounted for 92% of Canada's new renewable capacity in 2023, has seen investment plummet following a seven-month moratorium on new project approvals that ended in February 2024.

In its wake, the provincial government introduced a suite of new regulations that have created significant headwinds for the industry. These include an "agriculture first" policy that restricts development on high-quality farmland, mandatory reclamation security deposits to cover end-of-life decommissioning, and the creation of 35-kilometer buffer zones around "pristine viewscapes" where new wind projects are banned.

The policy shifts have had a chilling effect. According to market analysis, new corporate power purchase agreements—a key financing tool for renewable projects—"all but evaporated" in 2025, declining 99% compared to 2023. New wind projects have stalled entirely, and solar additions are at their lowest since 2019. This creates a challenging environment for projects like Red Willow as they move from regulatory approval to the crucial phase of securing financing.

The Critical Role of Battery Storage

Despite the policy challenges, the technical design of the Red Willow project highlights a critical and growing need within Alberta's grid. The inclusion of a large-scale 200 MWh battery system is not an afterthought but a strategic necessity.

Alberta's rapid expansion of wind and solar power has introduced significant volatility, or "net demand variability," to the grid. The AESO has noted that managing the grid has become increasingly complex, particularly with extreme weather events and the intermittent nature of renewable generation.

Battery storage systems are the key to solving this puzzle. They act as giant shock absorbers for the grid, inhaling excess solar power during sunny afternoons and exhaling it back during evening peak demand or when renewable output drops. This ability to store and shift energy provides essential grid stability services, such as frequency regulation, and helps integrate a greater share of renewables without compromising reliability.

The AESO itself has signaled a strong demand for these services. In 2025, the grid operator announced its intention to procure up to 750 MW of ancillary services, a demand expected to be met primarily by BESS technologies. With approximately 271 MW of energy storage currently online in the province, Westbridge's project is positioned to meet a clear and pressing market need.

The Long Road to 'Ready-to-Build'

While AUC approval is a cause for celebration, the term "ready-to-build" signifies the start of another complex phase. Westbridge must now secure an interconnection agreement from the AESO, a process that involves detailed system impact studies to ensure the project can be safely and reliably connected to the provincial transmission network. This process can be lengthy and costly, particularly if significant grid upgrades are required.

Furthermore, the project must secure financing in a market where traditional off-takers are hesitant. The collapse of the corporate PPA market in Alberta means developers may need to pursue more creative financing structures. Potential avenues include seeking long-term contracts with utilities, forming strategic partnerships with larger infrastructure funds who can absorb market risk, or competing for federal support through programs like the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs).

Westbridge's success in advancing four projects through the AUC's rigorous process demonstrates significant development expertise. However, the ultimate success of the Red Willow project and its counterparts will now depend on their ability to navigate the turbulent waters of Alberta's new energy market, secure a coveted spot on the grid, and convince investors to commit capital in an uncertain climate. The progress of these approved-but-not-yet-built projects will be a key indicator of the future of renewable energy in the province.