Fox Coulee
Solar Farm

Overview

Fox Coulée Solar Farm is a 93 MW solar energy facility located north of the Drumheller Airport in Starland County, Alberta.

The Fox Coulée Solar Farm was submitted in the 2022 Renewable Electricity Program (REP) Procurement facilitated by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO). In December 2022, the Fox Coulée Solar Farm was a Selected Proponent in the AESO’s competitive REP auction and was awarded a contract to provide Alberta with 93 MW of clean energy.

Fox Coulée Solar Farm successfully achieved commercial operation on June 19, 2024, as confirmed by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), and will provide renewable electricity to Alberta for a period of 20 years to help meet the region’s future energy needs and climate goals.

Location

Fox Coulée Solar Farm is situated north of Drumheller Airport, 4 km northwest of Drumheller, Starland County, Alberta.

Project Lifecycle

Neoen is connecting global leadership in reliable energy to Alberta.

Our commitment is simple:

Safety first
Listen well
Share benefits
Protect land and water
A good neighbour

We know trust is earned, not given. That is why we focus on safety, reliability, and care for the local environment in everything we do.

Our goal is to work alongside the community, listen to concerns, and ensure our projects bring real benefits for Starland County.

We have chosen to invest in Alberta because we see its potential and its commitment to a clean-energy future. Our goal is to contribute responsibly— delivering reliable energy solutions that create real benefits for local communities and support a stronger, more sustainable economy for everyone.

Resources

Notice: Construction Kick-Off Ceremony

Notice: Construction Completion Celebration (June 2024)

Frequently Asked Questions

+ What technology does Neoen use?

Our projects use premium quality wind turbines, solar panels, and battery technology from leading manufacturers.

We select these manufacturers through a competitive tender process for each project. This ensures the project’s Cost of Energy is low.

All components come with long warranty periods: wind turbines and solar panels are generally warranted for 25 years, and batteries for 15 years.

+ What happens when the project ends?

At the end of a project life cycle, the turbines, solar panels and batteries are removed and the site is rehabilitated.

This is a commitment we make to the landholders and the State government, which is in the development approval and our contract with the host landholders. After the assets are removed, most of the materials are reclaimed or recycled. This is because the steel, copper, lithium and other materials they are made of retain significant value.

+ Does Neoen require government subsidies to build its projects?

+ How much do renewables cost compared with other energy sources?

Renewable energy projects are now the cheapest sources of new energy generation. Wind and solar generation produce energy at less than $50 per megawatt hour (depending on the quality of the renewable resource and the size of the project).

The costs of other sources of generation are:

Gas generation: >$90 per megawatt hour
Existing coal generation: approximately $40 per megawatt hour
New coal generation: approximately $130 per megawatt hour

Renewable projects also deliver lasting energy and cost benefits:

Lower electricity costs: Clean power is often cheaper to build and operate than fossil fuel plants, reducing overall energy costs.
Stable prices: Renewables are not exposed to volatile fossil fuel markets, leading to more predictable energy costs.
Lower peak demand charges: Generating power during high-demand periods helps ease grid pressure and reduce associated costs.

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Get involved

Work with us.

Share your thoughts. We’re listening.

Neoen is a leading independent power producer of exclusively renewable energy, with a global portfolio capacity of 8.9-gigawatts (GW) in operation or under construction across 14 countries. Neoen has over 4 GW of solar capacity in operation or under construction globally.

Our develop-to-own strategy means we own and operate our projects for the long term, prioritizing the cultivation of lasting relationships within the communities where we work. We are committed to sharing the benefits of our projects with surrounding communities. This dedication to both people and the environment has established us as a developer of choice and a pioneer in the renewable energy industry.

Neoen has an active solar plant, Fox Coulee Solar Farm, in Starland County, Alberta, and several projects in development in Canada.

Fox Coulee Solar Farm