EDMONTON, AB – Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) is investing over $41 million in nine projects valued at $162 million to support a cleaner, more resilient energy system, improve the efficiency of building materials, and cut emissions across the province. Funding is sourced from the Government of Alberta’s industry-supported Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund.
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, ERA CEO Justin Riemer made the announcement alongside Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, and Janine Sullivan, President and CEO of FortisAlberta at FortisAlberta’s facility in Airdrie.
The projects focus on geothermal power generation, pairing batteries with hydroelectric power, tools to improve grid reliability, early-stage development of nuclear micro reactors, and real-time weather analytics to safely increase transmission capacity. Projects will also make building materials more efficient by reducing emissions and energy use, helping create better construction products that meet global demand.
This announcement builds on earlier investments under ERA’s annual Industrial Transformation Challenge. In total, ERA is investing $68 million in 15 projects through the 2025-2026 edition of its annual Industrial Transformation Challenge to help industry reduce emissions and remain globally competitive.
“The TIER fund is helping companies move projects forward, create jobs, strengthen supply chains and reduce emissions in ways that make economic sense. By supporting both proven projects and the next wave of innovation, Alberta is turning good ideas into real world results.”
Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
“By investing in these technologies across the province, we are strengthening Alberta’s energy and industrial systems. These investments are cutting emissions, creating opportunities for Albertans, and positioning Alberta as a global leader in the development and deployment of clean technology.”
Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta
If successful, the funded projects through the 2025-26 Industrial Transformation Challenge are estimated to deliver annual greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 294,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, about 1 million cumulative tonnes by 2030, and approximately 5.7 million tonnes by 2050. Projects are estimated to create approximately 1310 person-years of employment and $212 million in GDP for Alberta by 2030.
All the projects have the potential to be replicated at additional sites in Alberta, meaning the above environmental and economic impacts could scale significantly over the medium-to-long term.
The 9 projects announced today include:
Total Project Value: $5,400,000 | ERA Funding: $1,850,000
Location: Calgary, AB
Using real-time weather data to safely increase transmission capacity and reduce congestion.
ASHCOR TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (a subsidiary of ATCO Ltd.)
Total Project Value: $1,250,000 | ERA Funding: $625,000
Location: Halkirk, AB
Reclaiming coal ash from retired power plants for use as a cement replacement in concrete and cement applications.
CANADIAN STRATEGIC MISSIONS CORPORATION
Total Project Value: $10,400,000 | ERA Funding: $5,000,000
Location: Edmonton, AB
Building a prototype nuclear micro-reactor to explore small-scale nuclear energy.
Total Project Value: $68,700,000 | ERA Funding: $10,000,000
Location: Redcliff, AB
Upgrading insulation manufacturing to reduce energy use and emissions.
Total Project Value: $18,900,000 | ERA Funding: $7,000,000
Location: Airdrie, AB
Deploying advanced grid management technology to improve outage management and reliability.
Total Project Value: $10,600,000 | ERA Funding: $2,750,000
Location: Clearwater County, AB
Testing closed-loop geothermal power that generates electricity without water or emissions.
Total Project Value: $2,000,000 | ERA Funding: $1,000,000
Location: Exshaw, AB
Installing advanced filtration to reduce water use and emissions in cement production.
Total Project Value: $6,200,000 | ERA Funding: $2,900,000
Location: Canmore, AB
Using robotics and AI to manufacture construction components with less waste.
Total Project Value: $39,000,000 | ERA Funding: $10,000,000
Location: Brazeau Dam, AB
Pairing hydroelectric power with battery storage to improve grid flexibility and reduce emissions.
“Through this project, we are using technology and weather data to increase capacity in real time, maximizing the value of existing infrastructure and helping to defer the need for new transmission lines. Investing in innovative approaches such as this helps to ensure that Albertans continue to have the reliable and affordable electricity that they depend on.”
Gary Hart, President and CEO, AltaLink
“Ashcor is proud to partner with the Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta to advance its innovative RAMTM technology that reduces emissions, improves industrial efficiency, and expands the domestic supply of sustainable construction materials. This investment reinforces Alberta’s leadership in low‑carbon industrial transformation and unlocks long‑term economic and environmental benefits for communities across the province.”
Mona Siwak, Vice President, Finance and Strategy, Ashcor Technologies Ltd.
“This funding from the Government of Alberta through ERA is a major step towards our goal of delivering sovereign energy solutions for Canada’s defence and economic prosperity. A new research reactor will be a key foundational block on which not only we, but the entire nuclear energy industry in Alberta can build, delivering innovation, skilled labour, academic excellence, and technological development.”
Daniel Sax, Founder & CEO, Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation
“With support from the Government of Alberta through ERA, our advanced distribution management system will introduce new capabilities that will strengthen the grid, support affordability, and improve resilience for communities across the province.”
Jon Zawada, Vice President, System Operations, FortisAlberta Inc.
“Alberta knows how to innovate in energy, and the Government of Alberta’s support through ERA helps GeoGen move from shop floor to field. By deploying modular geothermal systems built with an Alberta-based supply chain, we’re strengthening energy security and reducing baseload energy costs for commercial operators across the province.”
Matt Hogg, CEO, GeoGen
“The Government of Alberta and ERA’s support for our flue-gas pre-treatment solution accelerates commercialization and deepens key partnerships. Using additive manufacturing, we’re pioneering compact, modular, regenerable particle filtration that boosts performance, reduces risk, and scales sustainably, advancing Alberta’s environmental objectives and positioning the province as a global proving ground for low-carbon industrial competitiveness.”
Srinivas Garimella, Sr. Director, Additive Manufacturing, Pall Corporation
“Construction is one of Alberta’s – and the world’s – largest industries, and the adoption of AI-enabled robotics-based solutions will help address labour shortages, improve work-site safety and support housing affordability. With Government of Alberta support through ERA, these technologies are being developed here in Alberta and exported to markets around the world.”
Bruce Alton, CEO & Co-Founder, RoBIM Technologies Inc.
“TransAlta is advancing practical innovation by pairing existing hydro with battery storage to increase capacity and availability of services that will support grid stability. The support from the Government of Alberta through ERA will help unlock reliable, affordable and decarbonized power for Albertans.”
Chris Fralick, Executive Vice President, Generation, TransAlta
Projects were selected through ERA’s competitive, expert-led review process, overseen by an independent Fairness Monitor. All ERA funding recipients are required to produce a final outcomes report that is shared publicly to help advance technologies toward commercialization. Funding recipients must also report on project outcomes, achievements, and lessons learned, including emissions reductions, job creation, and additional environmental and economic benefits.
For more information, contact:
Kevin Duncan
Marketing and Communications
Emissions Reduction Alberta
(403)431-2859
kduncan@eralberta.ca
ABOUT EMISSIONS REDUCTION ALBERTA (ERA)
For 17 years, ERA has invested revenues from the industrial carbon price paid by large emitters to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative clean technology solutions. Since its establishment in 2009, ERA has committed $1.14 billion toward 351 projects valued at over $11.1 billion. These investments are helping reduce emissions, create competitive industries, and support new business opportunities in Alberta. ERA-funded projects are estimated to deliver cumulative reductions of 28.5 million tonnes of CO2e by 2030 and 83.2 million tonnes by 2050.
ABOUT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION (TIER) FUNDING
The Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Regulation is at the core of Alberta’s industrial carbon pricing and emissions management system. TIER helps industrial facilities find innovative ways to reduce emissions, stay competitive, and invest in clean technologies.