The Pembina Institute is sounding the alarm: Alberta’s renewable energy sector is stalling just as critical federal-provincial energy talks (MOU) hit their final stretch. The think tank argues that while the government is chasing “moonshot” technologies, it’s actively tripping up the wind and solar projects ready to work today.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The “Chilling Effect”
Investment in Alberta’s once-booming green sector has cratered. Pembina points to a 93% collapse in new capacity compared to 2022, fueled by:
- The 2023-24 approvals moratorium.
- New, restrictive “pristine viewpoint” rules.
- Strict reclamation requirements that don’t apply to the oil and gas sector.
The Core Argument
Pembina’s message is simple: You can’t reach Net Zero by 2050 if you kill the industry in 2026. They are calling for the April 1st MOU deadline to include:
- Leveling the Playing Field: Remove the red tape currently strangling wind and solar.
- Carbon Price Certainty: Lock in a $130/tonne industrial carbon price by 2030 to give investors confidence.
- Corporate Accountability: Ensure the Pathways Alliance (oilsands) spends its own money on Carbon Capture rather than relying entirely on public subsidies.
“We are trying to build a 2050 grid while making it nearly impossible to build a wind farm in 2026. The math simply doesn’t add up.” — Summary of Pembina’s position.
