Clean Tech & Renewable Energy Opportunities in Alberta, Canada
Alberta: Contributing to a Sustainable Global Future
Alberta is forging new pathways in renewable energy and clean tech, building on its legacy as Canada’s energy capital. With over 44,000 oil and gas facilities, the province is leading the way in sustainable energy innovation and environmental stewardship.
Alberta outperforms all Canadian provinces in key metrics:
- Youngest median age
- Highest net interprovincial migration
- Highest workforce participation rate
- Most engineers per capita (both certified and in training)
The University of Calgary, a leading startup incubator among Canadian research institutions, plays a significant role in guiding Alberta’s energy transition. It supports innovations in clean energy, advancing projects that align with global sustainability goals. Alberta’s commitment to renewable energy sources, including solar and wind energy, complements its productive oil and natural gas industry, supplying reliable energy sources worldwide.
Oldman Dam Provincial Recreation Area near Pincher Creek, AB
Photo Credit: © Travel Alberta by Neil Zeller
The Path to Net Zero Runs Through Alberta, Canada
Alberta Stories
TransAlta
LOW-CARBON, CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION
Alberta is an emerging global leader in energy decarbonization, having made strides in reducing the carbon intensity of its electricity grid and its oil and gas sector. This is achieved through:
- Targeted emissions reductions
- Transition away from coal
- Development of world-scale renewable energy projects
- Investment in carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS)
As of June 2024, power generation in Alberta is coal free, and the electricity grid will produce roughly 20 megatons of GHG emissions a year. Alberta’s deregulated market ensures it remains a low-cost electricity jurisdiction throughout this transition making it an ideal for utility-scale solar energy projects and wind resources, advancing renewable electricity production and usage at affordable rates worldwide.
4th LARGEST OIL RESERVES IN THE WORLD & LOW-COST NATURAL RESOURCES
Alberta is home to the fourth-largest oil reserves in the world. In 2023 Alberta produced 60% of Canada’s natural gas and 80% of its oil.
The affordable, abundant, resources and strong commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) throughout the established energy sector provides eco-friendly international investment opportunities, including clean technology and environmental services.
Alberta provides some of the lowest cost renewable power in North America
Oldman Dam Provincial Recreation Area near Pincher Creek, AB
Photo Credit: © Travel Alberta by Neil Zeller
LITHIUM DEPOSITS FOR EXTRACTION AND BATTERY PRODUCTION
The Leduc Aquifer harbors a substantial lithium-rich brine resource, positioning Alberta as a leader in the emerging North American lithium battery market. With an estimated 16.9 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) in both Measured and Indicated, and Inferred categories, Alberta’s lithium reserves are a compelling draw for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors.
E3 Lithium’s proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional lithium extraction processes. This technology supports the production of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate, key components in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems worldwide.
REDUCING METHANE EMISSIONS FROM OIL & GAS
Alberta, a leader in oil and gas emissions reduction, was first in North America to set methane reduction targets. Achieving its 2025 goal of a 45% reduction from 2014 levels three years early, Alberta has now cut emissions by 52%. This award-winning approach, combining regulations, incentives, and improved leak detection, has halved industry costs compared to federal systems. Alberta will continue this strategy, working towards carbon neutrality by 2050.
Alberta’s decarbonization efforts are supported by a large pool of talented researchers, technical professionals and entrepreneurs who understand the oil and gas industry and its needs.
areas of focus
Clean Tech
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Carbon capture, use and storage
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Low-carbon hydrogen production
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Solvent extraction technology
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Methane reduction
Alberta is a global leader in methane reduction. It also boasts an abundance of affordable, low-emission blue hydrogen and is home to two of the world’s large-scale CCUS projects.
Renewable Power
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Modern, deregulated power markets
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Commercial wind
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Commercial solar
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Emerging geothermal and hydro
Alberta provides some of the lowest cost renewable power in the world. The province’s unique geography and deregulated electricity grid make it ideal for utility-scale wind and solar projects.
Oil
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Large reserves of low-decline, low-cost oil
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Innovative oil and gas services sector
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Stable and clear fiscal and regulatory systems
Abundant supplies of low-decline and low-cost oil, coupled with an innovative and well-established oilfield services sector will help to maintain Alberta’s oil production for years to come.
Natural Gas
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Large reserves of low-cost natural gas
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Large liquids plays and markets
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World-class value-added processing
Alberta has rich supplies of low-cost natural gas and is home to the largest hydrocarbon processing zone in Canada. The province counts two propylene derivatives plants and the country’s largest ethane cracking complexes.
Access to Markets
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LNG: growing access to west coast and growing Asian markets
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Crude oil: Access to key US, Asian and Canadian export markets
Alberta is growing its market access through the construction and expansion of several pipeline projects, including the Coastal GasLink and the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
Business Friendly
Stable regulatory environment and business-friendly policies make Alberta the perfect place to invest
Stable Fiscal and Regulatory Environment
Canada scores in the top 30 of the World Bank’s Political Stability Index.
Low Corporate Tax Burden
Alberta’s combined corporate tax rate is 23% — the lowest in the country and lower than 44 US states.
Pro-Business Climate
Alberta has the highest economic freedom in Canada as ranked by the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom Index.
Government support for innovation
Both provincial and federal governments offer financial programs to stimulate innovation in the energy and cleantech sector
Infrastructure
Alberta’s energy sector is supported by a vast network of pipelines and a market-based electricity grid
Robust Petrochemical Processing Capacity
Home to the largest hydrocarbon processing zone in Canada — Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.
Increased Access to West Coast
Coastal GasLink and Trans Mountain Pipeline will allow exports crude oil to Asian markets.
Low Carbon Power Purchase Opportunities
The most deregulated electricity market in Canada. Allowing the ability to negotiate energy prices through vPPAs.
Alberta Stories
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