Westbridge receives final approval for solar and storage project in Canada

Westbridge Renewable Energy Corporation has received final approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for the Dolcy Solar + Energy Storage Project, located in the Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61. This regulatory validation enables subsidiary Dolcy Solar Inc. to move into the construction phase, with all discretionary permitting now in place.

A large-scale hybrid solar and storage facility

The Dolcy project combines a 300 megawatt alternating current (MWac) solar photovoltaic plant with a 100 MW / 200 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system. Once operational, the facility is expected to supply power to more than 58,000 homes in Alberta. The authorisation includes construction and operation of the 948AL transmission line, connecting the facility to the provincial power grid.

The approval granted by the AUC also includes the Needs Identification Document approved by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), along with facility permits for Dolcy Solar Inc. and AltaLink Management Ltd. This regulatory milestone confirms full project validation by the province’s energy authorities.

Third ready-to-build project in Alberta

Dolcy becomes the third Canadian project by Westbridge to reach the “ready-to-build” stage. It follows the Georgetown and Sunnynook projects, both of which were sold to Metlen Energy & Metals. The Georgetown transaction, closed in December 2023, generated $39mn in non-dilutive cash, while Sunnynook, finalised in November 2024, yielded $23mn, according to company data.

Through these transactions, Westbridge has demonstrated its ability to monetise assets without equity dilution, reinforcing its business model focused on early-stage project development through to commercialisation. The group continues to operate across several international markets, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Regulatory hurdles navigated

In a shifting regulatory environment, securing this approval marks a key milestone for the company. Chief Executive Officer Stefano Romanin highlighted the team’s ability to progress high-quality projects to construction readiness. Chief Operating Officer Maggie McKenna noted the accomplishment was achieved amid a demanding provincial regulatory framework.