IPPSA Intelligence

Alberta Electric System Operator

Alberta’s power system is adapting to evolving clean energy demands through a slate of strategic updates from its grid operator. The August 2025 Connection Project List adds new Stage 2 grid ties, supported by an interactive Power BI dashboard and a detailed project map for enhanced stakeholder transparency.

Meanwhile, the withdrawal of the Prominence Solar Project underscores shifting priorities among developers, prompting AESO to revoke its earlier approval. Market data is also receiving upgrades: Long-Term Adequacy Metrics will be published August 1 to evaluate generation capacity and reserve margins, while an overhauled Current Supply Demand API launches August 6, retiring the previous version by September’s end.

The release of the 2025 Alberta Emerging Reliability Risks Report identifies external threats to system stability, guiding compliance monitoring and risk mitigation strategies.

References:

1. Recent Developments in Alberta's Clean Energy Sector: AESO Updates on Projects and Market Metrics

MSA Draft Final Parameters for RoLR

The Market Surveillance Administrator (MSA) published a notice capturing the stakeholder feedback submitted by July 14, 2025, in response to the Draft Final Parameters for Acceptable Financial Performance under the Rate of Last Resort (RoLR) Regulation.

This followed an earlier consultation cycle: initial comments in January, draft parameters in March, a first parameter set for the July 1 report, and the draft final release in May. The MSA noted that it will review this feedback and determine whether further consultation is needed, committing to notify stakeholders promptly.

References:

1. MSA Releases Draft Parameters for Acceptable Financial Preformance under the Rate of Last Resort Regulation

eStruxture Data Centers Secures Financing

On July 30, 2025, eStruxture Data Centers announced C$1.35 billion (US$968 million) in financing to fund the development of AI-ready data centers across Canada. This package comprises C$750 million via the inaugural Canadian asset-backed securitization (ABS) tied exclusively to eStruxture’s data center assets. A DevCo revolving credit facility providing up to C$600 million, including a C$300 million underwritten portion and an accordion option for an additional C$300 million was also announced.

References:

1. eStruxture Data Centers Secures Financing

First Hydrogen Corp. and University of Alberta's Collaboration on SMR Tech

A new partnership between First Hydrogen Corp and the University of Alberta is driving innovation in small modular reactor (SMR) technology to produce green hydrogen more efficiently. By focusing on advanced reactor materials and optimized designs enhanced by artificial intelligence, the collaboration addresses critical challenges in scalability, safety and cost.

SMRs combine compact, factory-fabricated modules with simplified operations that reduce safety risks and enable incremental capacity additions. Leveraging Canada’s renowned nuclear expertise—epitomized by its CANDU reactors, this initiative benefits from strong government backing, including Prime Minister Carney’s endorsement of SMRs as central to national energy strategy and clean growth objectives.

References:

1. Advancing Green Hydrogen Production: First Hydrogen Corp. and University of Alberta's Collaboration on Small Modular Reactor Technology

BC Hydro's 2025 Call for Power

BC Hydro’s 2025 Call for Power aims to secure up to 5,000 GWh of clean or renewable electricity annually by sourcing proposals from new generation projects. Building on its previous solicitation, which selected ten projects after 15 years, this initiative underscores the utility’s drive toward sustainable energy expansion and economic reconciliation. All bids must guarantee at least 25% First Nations equity ownership, reflecting BC Hydro’s commitment to shared benefits and indigenous partnerships.

Projects must be a minimum of 40 MW, reach commercial operation by October 1, 2033, and integrate with BC Hydro’s grid. Evaluation criteria prioritize environmental performance, community advantages, Canadian content, and proactive stakeholder engagement. This competitive framework responds to forecasts predicting a 15% rise in electricity demand over the next decade, fueled by population growth and the electrification of transportation and industry.

References:

1. BC Hydro's 2025 Call for Power: A Commitment to Clean Energy and First Nations Participation

Ontario Power Generation and ORLEN Synthos Green Energy Collaborate

Recent collaboration between Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and ORLEN Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) marks a major step in deploying small modular reactors (SMRs) to support Poland’s clean energy transition. Building on a June 2023 agreement, the partners plan to develop a fleet of BWRX-300 units, leveraging OPG’s nuclear expertise and OSGE’s influence.

A formal signing in Warsaw highlighted commitments from executives, OPG’s CEO Nicolle Butcher underscoring the project’s role in bolstering energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and stimulating economic growth. Through its subsidiary Laurentis Energy Partners, OPG will deliver project management, safety assessments, and regulatory guidance, ensuring oversight from planning through commissioning.

References:

1. Ontario Power Generation and ORLEN Synthos Green Energy Collaborate on Small Modular Reactors for Poland's Clean Energy Future

Capital Power's Quest for Data Center Capacity 

Capital Power’s Genesee Generating Station, recently converted from coal to natural gas, has boosted capacity by 60% while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. The company plans to power a megawatt-scale data center at this site, leveraging its existing access to fiber and electricity infrastructure.

Despite Alberta’s ambition to attract C$100 billion in data center investments over five years, the provincial grid is constrained by a temporary 1,200 MW limit on new connections set by the Alberta Electric System Operator to maintain system reliability through 2028. Requests from 29 proposed projects already exceed available capacity, presenting a barrier for Capital Power’s proposed 1,000 MW facility.

CEO Avik Dey acknowledges that smaller projects at Genesee would lack economic viability under current regulations, and he anticipates that future planning phases could expand opportunities for larger developments. Capital Power’s second-quarter performance showed a net loss of C$132 million and reduced revenues, reflecting costs tied to its U.S. market expansion.

References:

1. Capital Power's Quest for Data Center Capacity Amid Regulatory Challenges in Alberta

Loblaw Unveils Plans for Canada's Largest Rooftop Solar Array

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is set to deploy Canada’s largest rooftop solar-power array on its East Gwillimbury distribution centre, spanning roughly 40,400 square metres—equivalent to five CFL football fields. The $10-million-plus installation will generate about 8.5 million kilowatt-hours annually, covering roughly 25% of the facility’s electricity demand. 

Partnering with Great Circle Solar Management Corp., which brings a decade of collaboration, ensures reliable execution and ongoing technical support. 

References:

1. Loblaw Unveils Plans for Canada's Largest Rooftop Solar Array to Achieve Net-Zero Emissions

QScale's Ambitious Multibillion-Dollar Investment in Ontario 

QScale’s plan to invest up to $4 billion in a new AI data centre near Toronto underscores the surging demand for power-hungry cloud infrastructure and the critical role of provincial energy policy. Securing approval from Hydro One by fall 2025 will determine if QScale can address Quebec’s grid constraints by tapping Ontario’s capacity, as its existing hydro-powered sites face drawn-out access delays under government controls.

With AI processing projections driving average rack power densities toward 25 kilowatts by 2025, competition for reliable, cost-effective electricity has spurred Ontario’s proposed legislation to prioritize strategic data-centre connections, despite criticisms of potential political favoritism.

Meanwhile, Quebec’s reliance on low-cost hydroelectricity offers a competitive edge, but prolonged approval timelines risk deterring further investment. Nationally, the trend mirrors a tension between accelerating technological growth and strained transmission networks, compelling regulators to balance economic incentives against grid stability.

References:

1. QScale's Ambitious AI Data Centre Project: A Multibillion-Dollar Investment in Ontario's Tech Future

IEA Projections on Global Electricity Demand

Global electricity consumption is projected to accelerate at its fastest pace in a decade, driven by industrial requirements, expanding data centers, and widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Demand will rise by 3.3% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026, outpacing the 2.6% average increase recorded between 2015 and 2023. Meeting these needs will require significant upgrades to electrical grids and deployment of storage systems.

Renewable energy sources, notably solar and wind, are slated to overtake coal as the leading electricity provider by 2025 or 2026, influenced by weather patterns and fuel price fluctuations. Nuclear output is climbing, driven by reactor restarts in Japan and stable performance in nations such as the United States and France, alongside capacity growth in Asia. Natural gas generation continues to outstrip coal and oil in Asia and the Middle East. Investments in grid modernization and storage technologies are essential to integrate variable renewables to ensure reliability at cost.

References:

1. Navigating the Surge: IEA Projections on Global Electricity Demand and the Shift to Renewables

British Columbia Ranchers Call for Enhanced Water Storage

Prolonged drought in British Columbia’s Interior has intensified calls from ranchers for expanded water storage capacity effectively to safeguard agricultural productivity and river ecosystems. Parkes emphasizes that existing reservoirs and regulations fall short in buffering against multi-year dry spells, urging provincial action to streamline dam construction and bolster conservation infrastructure.

Collaborative efforts with First Nations have emerged as a model for sustainable water governance, integrating ecological stewardship with ranch operations. Despite these grassroots initiatives, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship has refrained from endorsing specific storage projects, even as ministry representatives commend ranchers’ efficient water use.

References:

1. Navigating Drought: British Columbia Ranchers Call for Enhanced Water Storage Solutions

Caldwell First Nation Secures Landmark Investment in Ontario's Electricity Transmission

Marking a pivotal shift in energy and reconciliation efforts, the Caldwell First Nation secured a 50-50 equity stake with Hydro One in the Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line project in Ontario. This agreement, celebrated alongside a powwow on newly acquired reserve lands, signals unprecedented Indigenous economic empowerment and infrastructure collaboration.

By partnering with Hydro One, Caldwell gains decision-making influence over environmental measures, helps alleviate transmission constraints in Windsor and Essex County, and establishes a sustainable revenue stream to fund housing, commercial developments, and community programs. Backed by the provincial Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program, the venture safeguards community assets while facilitating access to capital. 

References:

1. Caldwell First Nation Secures Landmark Investment in Ontario's Electricity Transmission, Paving the Way for Indigenous Economic Empowerment

Saskatchewan's Nuclear Power Strategy

Saskatchewan is shifting from coal-based electricity to nuclear power, citing limited alternatives for future electricity demands. Stakeholders at the Midwest Legislative Conference including Premier Scott Moe and industry leaders Tim Gitzel (Cameco) and John Gorman (Westinghouse Canada) underscored nuclear energy as essential for energy security and affordability.

The province plans to finalize the decision on a small modular reactor by 2029, while extending the life of existing coal-fired plants to ensure a smooth transition. Global momentum in nuclear energy is rising, with projections of about a thousand new reactors by 2050. Saskatchewan’s abundant uranium reserves, exported at $2.8 billion recently, offer a strategic advantage in fueling this growth.

References:

1. Saskatchewan's Nuclear Power Strategy: A Transformative Shift from Coal to Energy Security

Google and Energy Dome Partner to Innovate CO₂ Battery Technology

Google’s partnership with Energy Dome introduces an innovative CO₂ battery system that compresses carbon dioxide into a liquid form using excess renewable energy and reconverts it into gas to generate electricity on demand. This closed-loop process captures and stores emission-free power for 8 to 24 hours, addressing the intermittency of wind and solar sources without relying on rare materials typical of lithium-ion batteries or hydroelectric installations.

Having proven its feasibility in pilot tests in Italy, the technology is now poised for a 20-megawatt deployment capable of storing 200 megawatt-hours, with further projects planned across Europe, the United States, and India. By leveraging standard industrial components and a simple operational cycle, the CO₂ battery promises a scalable, cost-competitive solution for long-duration energy storage.

References:

1. Google and Energy Dome Partner to Innovate CO₂ Battery Technology for Sustainable Energy Storage

IPPSA's Mandate

IPPSA's mission is to convene industry, providing information, resources, and a forum for knowledge sharing, and to create opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and education. This newsletter is meant to inform members but not advocate for specific outcomes. We always appreciate your feedback at info@ippsa.com.