AltaLink Applauds Alberta Government's Leadership in Enabling Renewable Generation

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Nov. 24, 2015) - AltaLink, Alberta's largest electricity transmission provider, applauds the Alberta Government on the release of its Climate Leadership Plan. The Plan, released on November 22, outlines a goal to eliminate coal-fired electricity generation and grow renewable energy production to 30% of Alberta's needs by 2030.

"The greening of the electricity system through the elimination of coal and the growth of renewable energy is critical to Alberta's future, both from an economic and environmental perspective," said Scott Thon, president and CEO of AltaLink. "We have a tremendous opportunity in Alberta to make a step change away from coal generation and move to an economy powered by more zero- or low-emission generation sources."

The transmission system is critical to the success of the Climate Leadership Plan, as it will transmit electricity from wind, solar, or geothermal generation projects across Alberta.

"During the last five years, AltaLink has been investing in Alberta's transmission system to ensure it provides reliable performance and enables our economy," said Thon. "Our transmission system will be ready to deliver on a renewable energy future for all Albertans."

AltaLink's parent company, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, has extensive experience in supporting jurisdictions as they have shifted their energy mix from high greenhouse gas emitting plants to renewable sources without consumers bearing large cost increases. AltaLink is confident that learning from experience elsewhere will yield benefits in Alberta.

"In Iowa, where coal generation provided 70% of MidAmerican Energy's electricity generation as recently as 2000, 57% of their retail energy load could be powered by wind generation by the end of 2017," said Thon. "We're excited to bring that experience to our province to help Alberta be a leader in tackling climate change."

AltaLink's submission to the Climate Change Advisory Panel outlined a plan to quickly bring new renewable generation to Alberta without impacting the reliability of the system or cost to customers.

Headquartered in Calgary, with offices in Edmonton, Red Deer and Lethbridge, AltaLink is Alberta's largest electricity transmission provider. We are committed to meeting the province's demand for electricity, providing innovative solutions, and partnering with our stakeholders and communities in doing so. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, AltaLink is part of a global group of companies delivering electricity and utility services to customers worldwide.