Lafarge Canada Inc. and ATCO Ltd., through its investment in Canadian Utilities Limited, announced that they have entered into a 12.5-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA).
Under this agreement, Lafarge’s Exshaw cement plant will receive one hundred percent of the solar energy produced by the 38.5-megawatt Empress Solar project, meeting 34 per cent of the plant’s power requirements through 2036.
Lafarge's continued expansion into renewable energy in Alberta aligns with the company's broader strategy, Accelerating Green Growth while emphasizing its ongoing investments to lower the carbon footprint of its operations and scope 2 emissions. Lafarge's Exshaw cement plant has now committed to power purchase agreements for both wind and solar energy, setting an industry precedent.
Under the agreement, Lafarge will offtake 100 per cent of the power generated from the Empress Solar project, which is scheduled to commence commercial operations in October 2023, marking a step towards a greener, more sustainable energy landscape in Alberta. The Empress Solar project is expected to generate enough renewable energy to offset approximately 43,000 tonnes of carbon per year.
