Public comment period closing soon on proposed solar farm Southeast of Merritt

MERRITT. B.C. — The BC Environmental Assessment Office is seeking public input on the initial project design of a proposed solar farm, from Aspen Solar, along Highway 97, approximately 50 kilometres southeast of Merritt.

The proposed project includes solar panels, a battery storage facility, access roads and transmission lines to connect the project to B.C.’s electrical grid,” reads the public input web portal.

A description of the project states, “If approved, the project would produce up to 100 megawatts of renewable energy per day under good conditions and generate roughly 200 gigawatt hours per year– about enough electricity to power 20,000 homes. The proposed project would consist of solar panels, battery storage systems, overhead transmission lines to connect the project to the BC Hydro power grid, and access roads.”

Public comments are being accepted until the end of the month.

“After the public comment period closes, the EAO will prepare a Summary of Engagement that presents the key issues and concerns identified in the Early Engagement phase of the environmental assessment and lists the participating First Nations. The Summary of Engagement will inform Aspen BC Solar Project Limited Partnership on how to prepare the Detailed Project Description. Once submitted, the Detailed Project Description informs the EAO’s decision on whether the project is ready to proceed to an environmental assessment, should receive an exemption from an environmental assessment, or if the project should be terminated from the environmental assessment process,” continues the web portal.

Aspen Solar are scheduled to make a presentation to Merritt City Council on Tuesday (June 27) at the regular meeting of council.