Government of Canada provides early decision on Flipi Gas-Fired Generation Project in Alberta

Press Release

From: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

April 17, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) completed an assessment of the Flipi Gas-Fired Generation Project, located in Alberta, and determined that its potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means.

To arrive at its section 16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential effects within federal jurisdiction and frameworks to address these potential effects.

IAAC is of the view that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include, but are not limited to, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Historical Resources Act, Hydro and Electric Energy Act, and Water Act.

As a result, no further assessment under the Impact Assessment Act is required and the federal impact assessment process is now complete. As a next step, TransAlta Corporation (the proponent) will be required to seek any necessary federal and provincial authorizations and permits for the project.

The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC’s Notice of Early Decision with Reasons.

Quick facts

• TransAlta Corporation is proposing the development of a new power-generating facility fueled by natural gas, located approximately 18 kilometres southwest of Rimbey, Alberta. As proposed, the Flipi Gas-Fired Generation Project would have a production capacity of 460 megawatts and utilize combined cycle technology. The project is expected to operate for 30 years.
• The review process from start to finish took 64 days to complete.
• IAAC facilitates the sustainable development of major projects subject to the IAA through open and efficient assessments. These assessments identify ways to ensure the environment and Indigenous Rights are protected as projects get built. To support needed investment in major projects, we work closely with other jurisdictions to achieve the goal of “one project, one assessment”.
• Decisions like these ensure that Canada’s impact assessment process is efficient by determining at an early stage whether further assessment under the IAA is required.

Associated links

• Flipi Gas-Fired Generation Project (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)
• Impact Assessment Process Overview (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)
• Canada’s impact assessment system (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)

Contacts

Media Relations
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
media@iaac-aeic.gc.ca

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