Proposed solar farm near Ashcroft could power 30,000 homes
A Canadian company is planning to build a solar farm south of Ashcroft that could power up to 30,000 homes per year.
The proposed project would cover 395 hectares of Crown land near Highland Valley Road along the Goldstream Forest Service Road, 15 kilometres south of Ashcroft, according to a plan submitted to the Ministry of Environment.
The solar farm is expected to produce 150 megawatts of energy, which would connect to nearby BC Hydro transmission lines, according to planning documents.
READ MORE: Kamloops 15 minute city letters spread misinformation, 'misrepresent' City: CAO
It's still early on in the process to approve the project, but the company is expected to begin consulting with several nearby First Nations and any other local governments that may have concerns about its environmental impacts.
It's the second solar farm proposed in the southern Interior by Canadian Solar Solutions Inc., a company based out of Guelph, Ontario.
The Aspen Solar project near Loon Lake is also in its early stages of seeking approval from BC's Ministry of Environment, which could see a 335 hectare solar farm near the Okanagan Connector.
READ MORE: Massive solar project pitched near Okanagan Connector
That project is slightly smaller than the Highland Solar solar farm with an output that could power up to 20,000 homes.
Like the Aspen Solar project, the company expects it could take a year to build with a roughly 40-year lifespan once it's running. If approved, the Aspen Solar project would begin construction in 2024, while the Highland Solar project would start in the winter of 2025.
READ MORE: Canada's only desert is in B.C. but not where you think it is
It's not clear how long the ministry will take to approve either project.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
