Concerns about a possible solar project in the Town of Hanna has prompted the Town Council to write a letter of non-support to the developer.
The council made the motion at its December 12 meeting. It was moved by Councillor Warwick that “the mayor provide a letter of non-support to PACE Canada LP for their proposed solar farm development (Harvest Sky Solar).”
PACE Canada LP has been working on developing a solar project near the Hanna airport. The Harvest Sky Solar Farm is a 21 MW installation proposed to use a 360-acre site north of the Ag Centre and airport. The technology boasts a reduction in carbon emissions and could potentially remove over half of a million tonnes over the 30-year life of the project. It could provide local construction jobs as it is being built, as well as 2-3 operations and maintenance equivalents over the life of the project.
There have been concerns from the community prompting the council to write the letter.
“The glint and glare,” Mayor Dan Povaschuk said is a concern. “This will be the first solar project that will be built this close to an unmanned airstrip.”
He noted that the council had concerns about an emergency response plan and communicating this with emergency services in the community. It does have a draft Emergency Response Plan on its website.
“It is a lot of little things. There was nothing glaring, just a lot of things,” he said, noting that there has been a segment of the community that is not supportive and has been outspoken.
