--- title: "Salay Prayzaan: Clean Energy for Remote Sites | BBA" date: 2024-09-25T11:21:00-04:00 author: Caroline Lemire Gaumont canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/projects/salay-prayzaan" section: Projects --- Salay Prayzaan, a community-generation solar project, located in Smoky Lake County is a key initiative under the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). Operating since autumn of 2023, this 12,840-solar-panel project produces enough energy to power 1,200 Alberta homes. Beyond its environmental impact in fighting climate change, it fosters economic growth and cultivates local spin-offs for the Métis Nation and partner communities. - Date Oct 01, 2023 - Region Western Canada - Client ATCO - [ Case study ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/documents/pdf/BBA_CASE-STUDY_Salay-Prayzaan-Project_EN.pdf "Download PDF of our case study") 1. ## Our experts' solutions In 2017, the MNA unveiled its inaugural Climate Change Action Plan to “fully support and direct the MNA in \[…\] designing and undertaking climate change initiatives and programs, including actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing Métis involvement and awareness of climate change while creating capacity and economic opportunities for Métis citizens.” It was within this framework that the foundations of Salay Prayzaan emerged. Together, the Town of Smoky Lake, Smoky Lake County and the MNA worked to develop this 4.86-megawatt solar project, which stands as the most northerly grid-connected solar generation initiative of substantial scale in Alberta. ATCO, serving as the prime contractor for the construction, enlisted BBA to perform environmental assessments, engineering studies, detailed design of the solar farm (excluding the electrical design) and commissioning of the medium-voltage (MV) system. Key aspects of the mandate included: - Civil design: General layout and site plans, earthworks and drainage, roads and paving - Structural design: Foundations for inverters, transformers and the E-house - Power system studies: Load flow, short circuit and arc flash, protection coordination and grounding - Commissioning of the MV system: Transformers, cables, relays and switchgear - Environmental assessments: Pre-construction assessments, field assessments, monitoring and documentation The energy generated by the solar modules is fed back into the local distribution grid, where it flows to nearby communities, including Métis Crossing and Smoky Lake County. The successful implementation of this technology is significant for these communities, not only in terms of financial benefits, but also in reinforcing their commitment to sustainability. 2. - [ ![BBA Salay Prayzaan](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/_size_squared/187717/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_03.webp) The 4.86-megawatt solar power system generates enough electricity to power all MNA and affiliate buildings ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_03.jpg) - [ ![BBA Salay Prayzaan](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/_size_squared/187718/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_12.webp) Special attention was given to fauna and flora, in keeping with Métis traditions of environmental protection ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_12.jpg) 1. - In numbers 4,700 It lowered CO2 emissions by 4,700 tonnes in its first year - 10,000 It's the equivalent of taking 10,000 cars off the road annually - 100% Métis-owned solar project - [ 29 Jul 2026 Sachin Jari appointed Principal Director & Head of Commercial Strategy and Business Development ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/news/sachin-jari-appointed-principal-director-head-of-commercial-strategy-and-business-development "Sachin Jari appointed Principal Director & Head of Commercial Strategy and Business Development") - [ 27 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance - ![Geraldine Cosset](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206707/Geraldine-Cosset.webp) - ![Jared Purdy](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/212424/Jared-Purdy.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/early-tailings-decisions-shape-long-term-mine-performance "Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance") - [ 02 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing - ![Charles Blais](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211197/Charles-Blais.webp) - ![Juan Pablo Vergara](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211266/Juan-Pablo-Vergara.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/python-a-key-tool-for-data-analysis-in-mineral-processing "Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing") - [ 02 Jul 2026 Stéphanie Turbide appointed Office Director, Mont-Saint-Hilaire ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/news/stephanie-turbide-appointed-office-director-mont-saint-hilaire "Stéphanie Turbide appointed Office Director, Mont-Saint-Hilaire") Let’s see what we can do together [ Contact us ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/contact) 1. ## Our experts' solutions In 2017, the MNA unveiled its inaugural Climate Change Action Plan to “fully support and direct the MNA in \[…\] designing and undertaking climate change initiatives and programs, including actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing Métis involvement and awareness of climate change while creating capacity and economic opportunities for Métis citizens.” It was within this framework that the foundations of Salay Prayzaan emerged. Together, the Town of Smoky Lake, Smoky Lake County and the MNA worked to develop this 4.86-megawatt solar project, which stands as the most northerly grid-connected solar generation initiative of substantial scale in Alberta. ATCO, serving as the prime contractor for the construction, enlisted BBA to perform environmental assessments, engineering studies, detailed design of the solar farm (excluding the electrical design) and commissioning of the medium-voltage (MV) system. Key aspects of the mandate included: - Civil design: General layout and site plans, earthworks and drainage, roads and paving - Structural design: Foundations for inverters, transformers and the E-house - Power system studies: Load flow, short circuit and arc flash, protection coordination and grounding - Commissioning of the MV system: Transformers, cables, relays and switchgear - Environmental assessments: Pre-construction assessments, field assessments, monitoring and documentation The energy generated by the solar modules is fed back into the local distribution grid, where it flows to nearby communities, including Métis Crossing and Smoky Lake County. The successful implementation of this technology is significant for these communities, not only in terms of financial benefits, but also in reinforcing their commitment to sustainability. 2. - [ ![BBA Salay Prayzaan](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/_size_squared/187717/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_03.webp) The 4.86-megawatt solar power system generates enough electricity to power all MNA and affiliate buildings ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_03.jpg) - [ ![BBA Salay Prayzaan](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/_size_squared/187718/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_12.webp) Special attention was given to fauna and flora, in keeping with Métis traditions of environmental protection ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_12.jpg)