EDF Renewables Canada celebrates completion of Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Project in southeastern Alberta

DUNMORE, Alberta (Sept. 28, 2023): EDF Renewables Canada today celebrated the official completion of the Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Projects in Cypress County southeast of Medicine Hat, Alberta. The Projects have a total capacity of 247-megawatts (MW) of electricity generated by 48 wind turbines, enough zero-emission electricity to power the equivalent of 120,000 average homes in Alberta.

“The completion and commissioning of the Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Project is a significant milestone for EDF Renewables Canada and our partners, representing a total investment of $365 million,” said Ryan Pfaff, Executive Vice President with EDF Renewables North America. “What we are most proud of is the collaborative nature of this project from our first equity partnership with the Kainai/Blood Tribe and securing approvals and support from every level of government – an achievement attained by forging sustainable relationships with landowners, the broader project community, host municipality and the Kainai/Blood Tribe.”

The Project, developed by EDF Renewables Canada in collaboration with the local communities is owned in partnership by EDF Renewables Canada (37.5%), the Kainai/Blood Tribe (25%) and Desjardins Group Pension Plan and DGAM Global Private Infrastructure Fund II L.P. (together “Desjardins”) (37.5%), set new industry standards in many areas including increasing output with advanced turbine technology, a community benefit fund and a detailed decommissioning plan designed in consultation with landowners and municipality.

“The Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Project is situated on the traditional territory of the Kainai/Blood Tribe, and we are proud to be partnered on it with EDF and Indigena Capital,” said Chief Roy Fox, Kainai/Blood Tribe. “Ensuring Indigenous Communities participate and benefit from economic development projects on their traditional territories, and beyond, is an important step toward breaking down barriers that stand in the way of achieving economic reconciliation.”

“Desjardins has a long-standing relationship with EDF Renewables Canada as this is the fourth large-scale partnership we have entered into with the company,” said Mathieu Thibaudeau, Infrastructure Asset Manager at Desjardins Global Asset Management. “We view this renewable energy project as a great long-term investment for our clients.”

In 2018, EDF Renewables Canada signed a 20-year Renewable Electricity Support Agreement for the Cypress 1 Project with the Alberta Electric System Operator of round 2 of the competitive procurement process for its Renewable Electricity Program (REP). This agreement will ensure a reliable source of affordable electricity for Alberta customers for the next two decades.

In 2022, EDF Renewables Canada qualified for funding from Government of Canada through the Federal Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREP) for the Cypress 2 Project. The SREP program is designed to not only increase renewable energy capacity in Canada, but also increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the energy sector. Electricity generated by the Cypress 2 Project, which has a capacity of 47 MW, is sold into the open Alberta electricity marketplace.

“The Government of Canada is investing to deliver more affordable, reliable and clean power in every region of Canada,” said Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “This federal investment in EDF’s Cypress 2 Wind Project will create jobs delivering power to communities across Alberta as we seize the economic opportunities of a low-carbon future.”

“Alongside our friends at EDF and the Kainai/Blood Tribe, the Government of Canada is investing to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power to Albertan homes and businesses,” said Hon. Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Workforce Development, and Official Languages. “The Cypress 2 Wind Project is a great example of innovation and hard work coming together to deliver. Congratulations to all those involved in this job-creating clean power project.”

“This project marks a further step forward for Alberta in building a strong, reliable and affordable electricity system along our path to net zero emissions,” said Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities. “It also builds on Alberta’s actions to ensure that economic activities benefit our province’s Indigenous and rural communities so they can continue to share in and contribute to our collective prosperity. We welcome this investment by EDF Renewables, along with those from other renewable energy developers, in helping bring affordable energy and increased economic opportunity to Alberta.”

“This new wind project is in line with Cypress County’s Municipal Development Plan, and one of many diverse business opportunities we’ve seen enter our region in recent years,” said Dan Hamilton, Reeve of Cypress County. “We look forward to seeing EDF Renewables continue to work with the community in a positive way, developing renewable energy while also being accountable and listening to ratepayers.”

Cypress Announces 2023 Community Fund Recipients
As part of our commitment to the local communities, EDF Renewables Canada created the Cypress Wind Project Community Fund in 2022, which awards $10,000 annually to local community driven initiatives in Dunmore and the surrounding area. This year’s funding went to support the Dunmore Equestrian Society, Dunmore Community Association, Irvine School Parent Council, Irvine Minor Hockey Association, and Eagle Butte High School. Learn more about the Cypress Community Fund and application process at https://www.edf-re.com/project/cypress-wind/community-benefits/

Media Contacts:

Sandi Briner
VP, Corporate Communications
EDF Renewables North America
(858) 521-3525
mediarelations@edf-re.com

Tom Vernon
Crestview Strategy
(780) 224-5261
Tom.Vernon@crestviewstrategy.com

About EDF Renewables North America

EDF Renewables North America is a market leading independent power producer and service provider with 35 years of expertise in renewable energy. The Company delivers grid-scale power: wind (onshore and offshore), solar photovoltaic, and storage projects; distribution-scale power: solar and storage; asset optimization: technical, operational, and commercial expertise to maximize performance of generating projects, and onsite solutions, through the Company’s PowerFlex subsidiary, offering a full suite of onsite energy solutions for commercial and industrial customers: solar, storage, EV charging, energy management systems, and microgrids. EDF Renewables’ North American portfolio consists of 16 GW of developed projects and 13 GW under service contracts. In Canada, the Company has 1.9 GW of wind and solar power facilities in service or under construction and 4.2 GW under development. EDF Renewables North America is a subsidiary of EDF Renewables, the dedicated renewable energy affiliate of the EDF Group. For more information visit: www.edf-re.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

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