August 18, 2020

Among an extensive list of partnering organizations, Medicine Hat College (MHC) is set to play a vital role in the successful execution of the recently announced RenuWell project.

With a $2.1 million investment from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, the project will see inactive oil and gas wells be repurposed into community solar energy projects, generating 2 MW of distributed solar energy for the Municipal District of Taber.

Irrigation Canal Power Co-op Ltd (IRRICAN), Elemental Energy, Canadian Solar, and SkyFire Energy will work to reclaim the orphaned well sites, with Iron and Earth and MHC partnering to develop and deliver a 5-day workforce training program.

With previous experience in providing solar energy focused trainings and a solar grid on campus, the renewable energy sector is a well-known industry for MHC educators.

“Community colleges play a vital role in re-training Alberta’s workforce. This project is an excellent example of how we can utilize the expertise of our instructors and staff as subject matter experts for the design and delivery of these training programs,” highlights Erin Ferris, Continuing Studies program administrator at MHC.

Through the program, 15 energy sector and Indigenous workers will be re-trained for the renewable energy industry, learning the skills and knowledge needed to successfully perform the reclamation and site transformations.

The training will be held at MHC and is scheduled to take place early spring.

“MHC is looking forward to a long term partnership with Iron and Earth to offer this training in the renewable energy sector. We hope the success of this project will lead to more opportunities to train both workers looking to transition to another field as well as young people entering the workforce who are interested in this growing industry,” adds Ferris.

Further information about the RenuWell project can be found here.