On January 31, 2024, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its affiliate CI IV Buffalo Plains LP, closed a project financing deal for the construction of the 495-megawatt Buffalo Plains Wind Farm located west of Lomond, Alberta. The Buffalo Plains project will be Canada’s largest single-phase wind farm, comprising 83 wind turbines and generating enough clean energy to power approximately 240,000 Alberta homes annually. The facility is expected to displace more than 795,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP represented CI IV Buffalo Plains LP, the borrower, in negotiating and closing a multi-tranche credit facility exceeding $700 million. The legal team included Chris Bennett, Danna Donald, Marissa Kirsh, and Jake Sadikman.
Torys LLP served as counsel to the lenders.
The Buffalo Plains project has received both Alberta Utilities Commission and municipal approvals. During its construction phase, it is expected to create 250 jobs and generate 15 permanent positions upon completion. ABO Wind originally developed the project and sold it to CIP in 2022. In November 2023, Amazon publicly announced an investment in the wind farm as part of its sustainability efforts to offset emissions across its operations.