Overview
Wind and solar
Wind and solar projects in Alberta are regulated by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) and Alberta's government.
The Alberta Utilities Commission regulates power generation including review and approval of proposed wind and solar development sites.
Alberta's government requires operators to obtain a registration, implement conservation and reclamation measures, and obtain a reclamation certificate upon project closure.
Geothermal
Geothermal projects are regulated by The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and Alberta's government.
The AER is the lead regulator for deep geothermal operations and Alberta's government is responsible for shallow geothermal projects.
Learn more about Geothermal Resource Development.
Registration requirements
All wind and solar energy operations in Alberta must be registered with the Alberta government in accordance with the Code of Practice for Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Operations. Registration ensures responsible project development with appropriate environmental protections and financial security in place.
Operators are exempt from providing financial security to the government if they have provided security to the landowner.
Transition for existing projects
Projects must be registered before construction unless they are considered existing.
- Existing projects are those approved by the AUC on or before January 1, 2025.
- These projects must complete registration by January 1, 2027.
AUC approval
Operators must first obtain approval from the AUC before applying for registration.
Where security is provided to the landowner, it must meet the AUC’s reclamation security guidelines unless it is an existing project.
- Learn more in AUC’s Bulletin 2025-06
How to register
Registration requirements and details on financial security are provided in:
- Code of Practice for Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Operations
- Fact Sheet for Landowners: Reclamation Security for Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Operations
- Registration submission
Learn more about the Code of Practice for Wind and Solar Renewable Energy Operations (2025)
Conservation and reclamation
Solar, wind and geothermal
On private land, renewable energy operators must maintain updated conservation and reclamation plans.
Conservation and reclamation requirements are provided in:
- Fact Sheet for Conservation and Reclamation Directive for Renewable Energy Operations
- Conservation and Reclamation Directive for Renewable Energy Operations
Reclamation criteria
To get a reclamation certificate, wind, solar and geothermal activities must meet reclamation criteria for well sites and associated facilities for the specific land type.
- 2010 Reclamation Criteria for Well Sites and Associated Facilities for Cultivated Lands (updated July 2013)
- 2010 Reclamation Criteria for Well Sites and Associated Facilities for Forested Lands (updated July 2013)
- 2010 Reclamation Criteria for Well Sites and Associated Facilities for Native Grasslands (updated July 2013)
- Reclamation Criteria for Well Sites and Associated Facilities for Peatlands (revised March 2017)
Reclamation certification process
Getting a reclamation certification includes a reclamation inquiry that involves the Alberta government, landowner, and operator.
Once a certificate is issued, operators have a 5-year surface liability period (topography, drainage, vegetation, etc.) and lifetime liability for contamination.
Substantiated complaints during these periods may result in enforcement actions, including cancellation of the reclamation certificate.
Professional sign-off
Specific components of a registration and reclamation certificate application must be completed or certified by qualified professionals. This ensures all work meets regulatory standards and is supported by credible technical expertise.
Independent security estimates
Security estimates must be prepared by a third-party, independent qualified individual (someone who is not employed by or directly affiliated with the project operator). This independence helps ensure accurate and unbiased evaluation of reclamation costs.
Requirements
Professional sign-off is required for:
- development and updates to conservation and reclamation plans
- security estimates
- all required environmental assessments, including but not limited to:
- pre-disturbance site assessments
- wetland assessments
- wildlife surveys
- preparing and submitting reclamation certificate applications
Definition of a qualified individual
As defined in the Code of Practice for Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Operations, a qualified individual is someone with the appropriate education, accreditation, experience, and technical knowledge to complete one or more of the Code's requirements.
This includes:
- an Authenticating Wetland Professional, as defined in the Professional Practice Standard: Professional Responsibilities in Completion and Assurance of Wetland Science, Design and Engineering Work in Alberta
- a professional qualified under the Joint Practice Standard: Professional Responsibilities in Completion and Assurance of Reclamation and Remediation Work in Alberta
- a wildlife biologist or technician with experience and training in Alberta-specific wildlife survey methods, in accordance with Wildlife Directive for Alberta Solar Energy Projects (2017) or Wildlife Directive for Alberta Wind Energy Projects (2018)
More information on professional sign-off requirements can be found in the Code of Practice for Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Operations and professional sign-off.
Additional information
Learn more about reclamation for renewable energy operations:
- Conservation Assessments in Native Grasslands and Conservation Assessment Forms – Strategic siting and pre-disturbance site assessment methodology for industrial activities in native grasslands
- Management of Wood Chips on Public Land – ID2009-01
- Principles, Guidelines, and Tools for all Industrial Activity in Native Grasslands in the Prairie and Parkland Landscapes of Alberta – Principles for minimizing surface disturbance
- Progressive Reclamation and Interim Clean-Up – SD2010-02
- Revegetation Using Native Plant Materials – Guidelines for Industrial Development Sites – R&R 03-3
- Sites Reclaimed Using Natural Recovery Methods – Guidance on Site Assessment – R&R 03-6
- Winter Soil Evaluations – Conservation and Reclamation IL 92-2
- Wildlife Guidelines for Renewable Energy Projects