Massive solar project pitched near Okanagan Connector

An Ontario company is planning to build a 335 hectare solar farm near the Okanagan Connector, which could power roughly 20,000 homes.

Aspen Solar is planning the solar plant just south of Highway 97C near Loon Lake and already has an agreement with the Lower Nicola Indian Band to work on the project, according to planning documents.

With a 100 megawatt capacity, it would include solar panels, a battery storage system and use overhead transmission lines to connect to nearby BC Hydro transmission lines. The company expects to produce 203 gigawatt-hours of energy each year.

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The BC ministry of environment gave the project initial approval on May 2 to start engaging with nearby communities, Indigenous nations and other levels of government.

Aspen Solar expects a year of construction if it's approved, with a 40-year lifespan planned for the solar plant, according to its project description.

While the ministry gave early approval for the project, Aspen Solar will continue has several steps of public engagement on the process as the plan becomes more refined. The company expects a final environmental approval and construction to start by the end of 2024, according to its own project timeline.

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The proposed solar plant is around 60 kilometres from the wind turbines near Pennask Summit. Those five turbines, combined with five more near Shinish Creek, produce 30 megawatts of electricity.

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