Alberta Jails Go Green: Province Plans Solar Power for Correctional Facilities

Alberta's government is embarking on an ambitious initiative to integrate solar energy into its correctional facilities, aiming to significantly reduce energy costs and environmental impact. The plan involves installing solar arrays at five of the province's ten correctional centers, with projections indicating substantial annual savings.

Key Takeaways

• Alberta plans to install solar power at five correctional facilities.

• Estimated annual energy cost savings of $1 million.

• Solar installations expected to offset 80% of energy usage at each site.

• Preliminary budget for the project ranges from $10 million to $50 million.

• Two facilities in the Edmonton area and three near Calgary are slated for the upgrades.

Solar Initiative Details

The provincial government intends to equip five correctional facilities with solar power generation systems. This move is anticipated to offset approximately 80 percent of the energy consumed at each location, leading to estimated annual savings of $1 million. The exact financial benefits may fluctuate as the project's design progresses.

A procurement document reveals that the government has allocated a preliminary budget between $10 million and $50 million for this solar proposal. This figure is subject to refinement as the planning and design phases advance.

Facility Selection and Rationale

While specific correctional centers have not been officially named, it is understood that two facilities are located in the Edmonton region, and three are situated around Calgary. The government highlighted that the substantial non-agricultural and underutilized land available at these sites makes them ideal for ground-mounted solar installations.

In the Edmonton area, potential sites could include the Edmonton Remand Centre, the Edmonton Young Offender Centre, and the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre. Calgary's correctional facilities, including its remand, young offender, and correctional centers, are also candidates. Other correctional facilities across Alberta, such as those in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Peace River, and Red Deer, may also be considered.

Energy Consumption and Project Timeline

Data indicates that the Edmonton facilities collectively consume about 11,500 megawatt hours of energy annually, while Calgary's facilities use approximately 6,300 megawatt hours per year. For context, the average Alberta home uses about seven megawatt hours annually. The province plans to begin accepting bids for the construction of these solar arrays either later this year or in early 2026.

Broader Context and Environmental Impact

Advocacy groups have welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a rational step towards a sustainable energy future for the province. This move by Alberta follows similar trends in the United States, where states like Connecticut, Colorado, and California have implemented solar power at correctional facilities to achieve cost savings and reduce their carbon footprint. Notably, the Santa Rita Jail in California once housed the largest rooftop solar installation in the U.S.

Despite previous regulatory hurdles for renewable energy projects in Alberta, such as a moratorium on solar and wind farm approvals, this initiative signals a potential shift. The infrastructure ministry emphasized its ongoing commitment to improving efficiency and reducing costs through innovative energy solutions that minimize environmental impact. Environmental advocates hope this project will encourage further adoption of renewable energy across other provincial government buildings.

Sources

• Alberta government looks to solar to lower energy costs at correctional facilities, CBC.

• Alberta planning to power some of its jails with solar energy, CityNews Calgary.