Court dismisses challenge to overturn city council’s approval of river valley solar farm

When finished, the farm will consist of 45,000 solar panels on 54 acres of land south of the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant, land owned by EPCOR for the plant's future expansion.

An Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench judge has dismissed an effort to overturn Edmonton city council’s decision to approve a $30-million solar farm in the river valley.

The Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition Society opposes the project and launched the legal challenge against city council and EPCOR, arguing council violated the city’s redevelopment plan in approving the project.

But Justice George Fraser dismissed the challenge, finding city council had worked within proper guidelines.

The previous city council approved the project by a one-vote margin last October.

When finished, the farm will consist of 45,000 solar panels on 54 acres of land south of the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant.

It provides 65 per cent of the water used in the greater Edmonton region but is EPCOR’s second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Opponents cited potential environmental impacts of the project as well as how it would set a precedent for river valley development.

Panel installation will begin in the spring and the farm will begin producing energy later this year.