Guidelines for renewable energy operations

Renewable energy operations are governed by a variety of acts and regulations that provide standards for conservation and reclamation.

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. 

How to register

Registration requirements and details on financial security are provided in:

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:

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.

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: