Issue Brief: One Year Anniversary of the Renewables Moratorium

August 3, 2024 marked the one year anniversary of the Government of Alberta’s moratorium on renewable energy development. While the moratorium was formally lifted in February 2024, ongoing uncertainty and prolonged policy deliberations have led to project cancellations and decreased confidence in Alberta as a home for clean energy projects.

Meanwhile, the Alberta Government held a webinar entitled “Agriculture First” Alberta Approach to Renewable Energy Development suggesting that the government is considering additional restrictions on renewable energy development on native grasslands and agricultural lands that are not applied to other more destructive land uses. The government also launched a consultation seeking feedback from “Municipalities, renewable energy companies and agricultural landowners, including First Nations and Métis private landowners.”