PACE Canada LP receives the Blue Skies Award
PACE Canada has been recognized as a company taking exemplary steps to improve air quality in the Parkland Airshed Management Zone. The company is one of four recipients of the Blue Skies award announced May 3, 2023.
PACE Canada’s nomination is based on its 47MW solar project in Lacombe County next to the NOVA Petrochemical plant.
The Joffre Project will result in 46,000 tonnes of carbon emission reductions in year one, and over 1m tonnes over 30 years - the initial lifetime of the project. This is enough to power approximately 8,800 Albertan homes with non-polluting, low carbon energy.
PACE Canada’s application stood out based on its innovative and sustainable approach to solar energy generation. The project lands will remain in continued agricultural use using the best practices as being developed by Agrivoltaics Canada and PACE Canada where the landowner will continue to graze sheep and cattle and incorporate additional farming practices that encourage increased farm productivity and site biodiversity.
Claude Mindorff, Director of Development for PACE Canada said, 'PACE Canada is one of the first solar developers to introduce the co-location of clean energy generation while continuing food and agricultural commodity production to Alberta. The adoption of this innovative and sustainable approach is demonstrative of leadership, creativity, innovation and social responsibilities while supporting Alberta Industry and the Alberta Agricultural Community with affordable and emissions free electricity'.
For more information on Parkland Airshed Management Zone
For more information on PACE Canada
PACE continues to strengthen its development teams with appointments in Canada and UK
Pathfinder Clean Energy’s development team continues to expand with two new appointments to support its core development markets of the UK and Canada.
Dmitry Ozerny has joined PACE Canada as Design Analyst.
Dimitry has 20 years experience in GIS analysis, mapping and data management in a variety of sectors such as renewable energy, oil & gas industry, emergency response, government and military. He offers experience and expertise in solar and wind systems modeling, energy yield analyses and assets management and holds a Master's Degree in Geographic Information Science.
Claude Mindorff, Development Director Canada said, “PACE is delighted that Dimitry has joined us as we expand our pipeline of projects and team in Canada. The requirement for PACE to expand and increase the availability of clean energy to the Alberta and wider market has never been greater and we look forward to working with Dimitry as we bring through our 1GW pipeline in Alberta and expand our operations and bring our projects through the development process.’
PACE UK has also recently been joined by Zoorain Abbas Jaffari as graduate Design engineer to support the origination and development of new and existing projects in the UK. Zoorain joins from the University of Exeter where he obtained an MSc in Civil Engineering with Management and will be based in Bristol, UK.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of Pathfinder Clean Energy said: “We are delighted to welcome Dimitry and Zoorain onto the team as we grow our UK and Canadian clean energy project pipelines. They will both play a crucial role at PACE as we increase the speed of development in all our markets to achieve our targets to support the urgent move to clean energy to combat climate change and improve energy security”.
PACE continues to look to recruit the best candidates into its open and new roles as we move into construction on our current projects and increase our international project portfolio”.
Dimitry will be based out of Calgary, Alberta, and Zoorain will be based in PACE’s Bristol office in the UK.
PACE in the UK respond positively to National Grid's EOI request for bringing forward connection dates
The Pathfinder Clean Energy UK grid team has been participating in the stakeholder engagement around the increasing levels of transmission level grid constraints that are impacting on the ability for clean energy to connect and export.
Across the industry there have been increasing instances of distribution connected projects requiring completion of National Grid reinforcement works prior to connection.
Typically, these upgrade works are scheduled for completion between 2028 and 2035 - which will not help to address the urgent climate and energy security issues the UK is currently facing pushing out viable connections by up to a decade.
PACE is working with a range of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) including NGED and UKPN in consultation with transmission operator National Grid.
As part of its ‘five-point plan’, National Grid has requested Expressions of Interest (EOI) for bringing forward connection dates and non-firm connection offers.
PACE has responded to express an interest in connecting 24 of its utility scale solar and energy storage projects ahead of National Grid reinforcement works. This would be approximately 1GW of clean energy generation connecting at a range of distribution voltages.
PACE will continue to work with the DNOs & NGESO to find a solution to this national issue which needs to be resolved urgently to enable more clean energy onto our electricity grid and better reliance on home grown energy sources.
Rob Denman, managing Director of Pathfinder Clean Energy said, 'As an industry if we are to tackle climate change and reach our net zero targets this is the most critical issue to overcome. Solar and onshore wind can be developed and built relatively quickly and to provide the cleanest and lowest cost energy available. DNO Connected projects can be deployed rapidly and can connect several years in advance of projects with transmission connections. At present DNO connected projects account for all of UK’s connected solar PV capacity (over 14GW) and is crucial for the government’s Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan where a target of 70GW of solar is set for 2035.
We need to find suitable solutions that both enable us to connect and enable us to finance these generation projects and as PACE we are collaborating with all the stakeholders but we need engagement and solutions from all levels up to and including central government'.
Grid connection delays threatening Net Zero goals' - PACE featured in E&T magazine
Pathfinder Clean Energy has been interviewed as part of E&T magazine (Engineering and Technology) article on the grid connection challenges that are facing the UK industry.
In the article PACE explained how over 30 viable projects totalling over 1.2GW have been delayed beyond 2028 due to transmission constraints. If it was not for these delays PACE would have been able to connect these projects by 2025.
PACE continues to advance these projects and others with the view we should through continued innovation across revenue strategy and technology we can achieve our net zero goals and mitigate some effects of climate change.
For the full article in E&T magazine.
Pathfinder Clean Energy UK to submit 69MW/138MWh energy storage project into planning
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), a UK-headquartered international developer of utility scale solar and battery storage projects is submitting its latest energy storage project into planning.
The proposed energy storage scheme, known as Thurleigh Road Energy Storage System (ESS) will provide important grid balancing services to support the UK’s transition to a renewable energy system. The site has been carefully chosen to be well away from residential properties. It is already well screened and the proposals also include new native hedges and trees, which will provide habitats for local species.
The company now has more than 1.5GW of solar capacity in the UK in various stages of the development process and almost 300MWp fully permitted or submitted into planning. PACE has also announced its entry into the emerging UK green hydrogen sector.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE said, ‘PACE is delighted to announce that the Thurleigh Road ESS Park will be submitted for planning in early 2023. This follows closely on from the announcement of our permitting approval of Mallows solar and energy storage park in December’.
‘PACE has been advancing this project for over 24 months and is now delighted to be in the final stages of the planning submission. Energy storage will play a substantial role in the route to Net-Zero and this project complements our various solar generation and solar+storage co-located projects in the UK and internationally. We continue to evaluate ways we can optimise our projects with the addition of new and existing technologies including solar, wind, green hydrogen but this is an exciting project that can connect as soon as permitting and the supply chain allows and make a contribution to the fight against climate change. This project we anticipate will be a 69MW/138MWh project initially but could potentially be expanded for longer duration storage'.
Pathfinder Clean Energy secures planning permission for Mallows Solar and Energy Storage project in Lincolnshire, UK
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), the UK-headquartered international developer of utility scale solar and battery storage projects, has secured planning permission for its 14MWp Mallows solar and energy storage project, located in the East Lindsey area of Lincolnshire.
The project will provide enough power for the equivalent of 4,600 UK households and will reduce CO2 emissions by 3,300 tonnes annually.
Alex Ross, Director of PACE Developments in the UK said: ‘PACE UK is delighted to achieve another planning success at Mallows. New native hedges and trees, and the local topography, means that the development will be screened from the local village of Sibsey. Additional hedging along the western boundary of the site will ensure it is not seen by the local properties. On this project we also will create a considerable biodiversity net gain of 84%.”
PACE currently has a development pipeline of over 1.5GW of clean energy projects in the UK and 500MW in Canada. PACE recently started construction on its first project in Canada, the 70MWp Joffre project.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE, said: ‘PACE continues to push on and support the requirement for clean energy in the UK. With constant uncertainty in the national and international markets the benefits of low cost clean energy for the future can not be forgotten. Mallows solar and energy storage park will be an important addition to the PACE portfolio and with our recent announcement of our advancement into the green hydrogen market in the UK we are committed to developing and constructing the clean energy generation the UK and the wider international market requires'.
About Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE)
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) is an international clean energy developer and investor. The company was established in 2017 and has since grown to a team of 16 across UK, Europe and Canada - all with extensive experience in the clean energy sector.
PACE’s team brings over 40 years and 1GW of experience from across the asset cycle - from development to financing, construction and operation.
PACE uses the latest cloud-based proprietary technology to collaborate across global markets and projects to enable its projects to deliver competitive power prices under merchant power models, PPAs or bids into government auctions.
PACE’s understanding and management of the complete life cycle of a project provides a route to deploying capital at scale and across multiple international clean energy markets.
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www.mallowssolar.co.uk
Pathfinder Clean Energy commences consultation to submit additional 18MW solar farm into planning before the end of 2022
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), a UK-headquartered international developer of utility scale solar and battery storage projects, is completing its consultation on its latest 18 MW project near Drayton, Norfolk.
The proposed ground-mounted scheme, known as Glebe Solar would generate enough power for around 8,000 homes each year or the CO2 emissions equivalent of removing over 1,200 passenger vehicles from the road.
The company now has more than 1.5GW of solar capacity in the UK in various stages of the development process and almost 300MWp fully permitted or submitted into planning. PACE has also recently announced its entry into the emerging UK green hydrogen sector.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE said, ‘PACE is delighted to be commencing the consultation on this project with the intention to submit into planning before the end of 2022’.
'The project will combine major biodiversity enhancements to the site while allowing agriculture to continue alongside energy generation. The site is located just a few hundred meters from Norwich International Airport and so the team has worked closely with the airport operator to ensure the design is compatible with aircraft safety'.
PACE’s Joffre solar power plant commences construction
PACE Canada has announced the commencement of construction of the Joffre solar plant with its ground-breaking ceremony in Joffre, Lacombe County.
This is the first PACE Canada project to enter construction and the lead project in their current advanced 100 MW clean energy project pipeline. The 47 MWac project will create 88000 MWhs of clean energy annually, which is enough to power more than 12,000 Albertan households with electricity each year. This and the follow-on PACE projects will create the requirement for new skills in Alberta and significant contribution to the tax base that can grow Alberta’s rural economies.
The construction of the Joffre solar plant alone will support 8 full-time operation and maintenance positions over the lifetime of the project. The project will bring in considerable property tax contributions and local purchases to the municipality over the lifetime of the project. Solar energy projects such as Joffre also creates an opportunity for diversification and certainty of revenue for the landowner as they work to innovate to adapt to impacts of climate change and increase agricultural yields from the lands under solar lease.
PACE relocated its operations from Vancouver to Calgary in early 2022 to support its expansion in Alberta and is hiring to expand its Alberta based development, project management and project support teams.
The development and expansion of the PACE clean energy portfolio will support Alberta’s position as a leader in Canada for clean, sustainable and affordable energy to increase its attractiveness as a location for forward thinking and climate aware companies.
Claude Mindorff, Director of Development for PACE Canada says, ‘beyond the employment benefits and income contributions to farmers and the community there’s a symbiotic relationship that exists between food, energy and water. Solar and agriculture don’t need to compete but can complement one another. Land underneath the panels can create and intensify native grasslands and forage crops added to improve biological diversity. We are not taking arable lands out of production; we are intensifying the agricultural use of them, while creating renewable energy. We are farming two crops simultaneously - energy and agricultural production’.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of PACE Group and President of PACE Canada LP said, ‘PACE is delighted to announce the commencement of construction of the Joffre Solar park. This is the first of a considerable pipeline of clean energy projects we are advancing that will include not just solar but also energy storage and green hydrogen as the market develops. Alberta is a key market for growth for PACE and we are excited to bring forward clean power in the region in support of the economic development of Alberta’s green economy. This project requires over CAD70m of investment and with continued government support to the growth of this sector PACE is looking to raise and deploy significant funds into the Alberta clean energy sector in the years ahead as we expand our project portfolio and technology types we are investing in’.
Speakers at the event included Barbara Shepherd, Reeve, Lacombe County who said, "Lacombe County welcomes PACE to our community. With access to the electrical grid just across the fence from the site we believe that this is the perfect place for the "first of its kind" project in the County” and the Honourable Ron Orr, Minister of Culture and MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka who said of the development, “PACE’s investment in Joffre and Lacombe County is truly something to be excited about. Renewable energy in Alberta is growing rapidly and PACE is contributing to that growth by bringing their innovative solutions – and jobs – to our province. This clean energy project will benefit our provincial electrical grid and I look forward to future projects championed by PACE in Alberta”.
PACE has had support over the development of its operation from Invest Alberta. Rick Christiaanse, CEO, Invest Alberta added, “PACE’s solar plant adds great value to Lacombe County and further builds on the opportunity for clean energy projects in rural Alberta communities. These high-impact, high-value projects are furthering Alberta’s clean energy transition and helping put Alberta on the map as a global leader in renewable energy solutions. As this is the first of its four projects coming to Alberta, we look forward to supporting PACE’s expanding presence in the province.”
About PACE Canada
PACE Canada LP is a partnership jointly and equally owned by Pathfinder Clean Energy, a global clean energy development and investment company, and GOLDBECK SOLAR, a German company specializing in the construction of large-scale solar power plants, based in Germany
The joint venture has a focus in Canada on utility scale solar, battery energy storage and green hydrogen production. PACE Canada undertakes and manages the entire project value chain, from site selection through permitting, planning, financing and offtake agreements, to be a market-leading platform for clean energy development and investment in Canada.
PACE Canada intends to develop and own and operate over 500MW of clean energy projects within three years and expand its interests in the country into energy storage, green hydrogen
www.pacecanada.com
About Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE)
Pathfinder Clean Energy is headquartered in London and is a global developer and investor into clean energy with projects and interests in the UK, Europe and Canada. With a significant advanced portfolio of over 1.5GW of utility scale solar and energy storage projects it is expanding its operations to make a significant contribution to the challenge of achieving net zero. PACE has recently announced its expansion into the green hydrogen market.
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About GOLDBECK SOLAR
GOLDBECK SOLAR is an international company specialising in the turnkey construction of commercial rooftop and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems. The range of services covers the entire value chain, from project development and targeted project financing to the construction and integration of storage technologies, technical operation and asset management of the plants, as well as the direct sale of clean energy.
www.goldbecksolar.com
About GP JOULE EPC NA
The Joffre project is being constructed by Canadian EPC, GP Joule NA.
GP JOULE PV Canada Corp. and GP JOULE PV USA Inc. were subsidiaries of the Germany- based GP JOULE Group until 09/09/2022 when they were purchased by GOLDBECK SOLAR. The vertically integrated EPC company supplies turnkey PV and energy storage power plants with proprietary single axis tracking and fixed tilt racking systems. With more than 200 MWp of projects built in Canada and the northern US states over the past 10 years, GP JOULE EPC NA specialises in servicing utilities and C&I clients. Founded in 2011, the company is headquartered in Toronto, ON, has had a presence in Calgary, AB since 2016, and most recently established a location in Halifax, NS in 2022. Its US satellite office is located in Los Gatos, CA.
PACE enters green hydrogen market with submission of projects into UK Goverment HBM and NZBM funding round
Pathfinder Clean Energy has entered the UK green hydrogen market through a submission into the Government’s Hydrogen Business Model and Net Zero Hydrogen Fund: Electrolytic Allocation Round for 2022.
PACE is active in the clean energy market across UK, Canada, Poland and Spain and increasing its business development across further international markets and technologies. This is the first commitment to the green hydrogen sector.
Ben Chippendale, Analyst at PACE said, ‘The global green hydrogen market has considerable international government support and could be worth over £60bn by 2030. This joint allocation round is a key milestone for the UK’s green hydrogen industry and will serve as an important catalyst for empowering companies to gain access to private investment across the emerging market. PACE has submitted projects into the process which they believe could be hydrogen enabled by 2025. Alongside the submission, we have signed initial MoUs with both financing and offtake partners who will be actively supporting the ongoing development of these hydrogen projects through to deployment.
PACE continues to review its 1.5GW advanced UK development pipeline for additional projects for this technology combination.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of Pathfinder Clean Energy said: “PACE is one of the leading developers across the UK utility scale solar and energy storage market. This joint allocation round was one we considered we should participate in as we look at ways we can continue to innovate and improve the ways that we can assist the UK to achieve its net zero targets and improve cost competitive energy security’.
‘To achieve the UK’s net zero targets and also improve energy security at the lowest price to the country we must advance utility scale solar, onshore wind, energy storage and green hydrogen. That is why PACE is committing to all. Green hydrogen has been presented as part of the solution for over 70 years so is an established technology and if we can combine this with clean energy generation and the demand and with the right support and strategy it could be an important part of the way we power a clean future. We hope this is the first step for the UK Government to support the integration of green hydrogen with utility solar and onshore wind.’
PACE has agreement with a leading logistics firm to provide the demand for the green hydrogen generated if successful in the process and is in negotiation with further industrial and logistics companies.This government process is for projects to connect by 2025 but PACE is also exploring opportunities for green hydrogen outside of this government support framework.
PACE Canada appoints new Project and Communications Co-ordinator to support its project pipeline expansion
PACE Canada's development team continues to grow with the appointment of Rhonda Barron as Consultation Co-ordinator for the market.
Rhonda will assist the local team to manage and advance its clean energy projects in Alberta and the wider market.
PACE Canada has 100MW of Alberta based projects that are due to enter construction in 2022/23 and a target of an additional 300+MW in the next two years.
Rhonda has a long-standing interest and passion for sustainable practices and brings fifteen years of professional experience in advocating for positive community projects across various sectors.
Rob Denman, Managing Director of Pathfinder Clean Energy said: “We are delighted to welcome Rhonda onto the PACE Canada team as we enter construction and continue to advance new projects in the region”.
'Rhonda will play a crucial role as we increase the speed of development in all our markets to achieve our targets to support the urgent move to clean energy to combat climate change and improve energy security. Rhonda is passionate on the benefits of clean energy for the communities in which we operate in Canada and we look forward to her bringing this to our projects as we fast track our intentions to contribute to the fight against climate change' says Denman.
PACE continues to look to recruit the best candidates into its open and new roles as we move into construction on our current projects and increase our international project portfolio”.
Rhonda will be based out of Calgary, Alberta.