Big Marble Farms Begins Supplying Locally Generated Power to the City of Medicine Hat
Big Marble Farms Begins Supplying Locally Generated Power to the City of Medicine Hat
Big Marble Farms announced the interconnection of its on-site power generation system with the City of Medicine Hat’s electrical grid, marking a major milestone in local energy collaboration, sustainability, and agri-food innovation.
Following an energization order from the Alberta Electric System Operator in February, Big Marble Farms can now export excess electricity generated at its Medicine Hat greenhouse facility back to the City’s power system. The agreement allows the City of Medicine Hat to purchase surplus electricity produced during off-peak greenhouse production periods, strengthening local energy resilience while maximizing the efficiency of existing infrastructure.
“This project reflects years of collaboration, investment, and persistence,” said Ryan Cramer, President of Big Marble Farms. “Our goal has always been to grow fresh food locally, year-round, as efficiently and responsibly as possible. Being able to supply clean, locally generated power back to the community is a win for our business, the City, and the broader region.”
Big Marble Farms operates Alberta’s largest greenhouse and uses a high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) system fueled by natural gas. The system captures waste heat from electricity generation and redirects it back into the greenhouse to meet plant heating needs, significantly improving overall energy efficiency. Since first installing on-site generation in 2020, Big Marble Farms has expanded its capacity to 13 megawatts to support year-round production.
Until now, excess generation capacity could not be utilized, requiring generators to shut down during overnight and summer hours. With the new interconnection in place, the facility can operate its generators more consistently, improving performance while supplying surplus electricity to the municipal grid.
“These generators are most efficient when they run for longer periods of time,” said Anna De Paoli, Director at Big Marble Farms. “This interconnection allows us to reduce wear on equipment, improve efficiency, and put unused capacity to work in a way that benefits the entire community.”
City officials say the partnership represents an important step toward strengthening local energy systems and supporting major employers that invest in innovation.
“This is a great example of how the City and local industry can work together,” said Mayor Linnsie Clark. “Big Marble Farms has made a significant investment in energy production, and this agreement allows us to share resources in a way that benefits both the company and our residents.”
Big Marble Farms began expanding its Medicine Hat operations in 2016 to meet growing demand for locally grown produce across Alberta. Access to reliable and efficient energy has been a key factor in keeping that growth local.
“We could have expanded elsewhere,” said Cramer, “but Medicine Hat made sense from an efficiency and economic perspective. This project reinforces our commitment to growing here and investing here.”
The interconnection project follows nearly nine years of planning, regulatory approvals, and technical coordination. Big Marble Farms says it demonstrates how agriculture, energy innovation, and municipal utilities can align to support economic development and sustainability goals.
About Big Marble Farms
Big Marble Farms is Alberta’s largest greenhouse, spanning 3.1 million square feet (72 acres) in Medicine Hat. The facility produces fresh, Alberta-grown vegetables year-round, supported by advanced energy and climate-control systems including combined heat and power generation, radiant hydronic heating, and heat recovery technology. Designed for efficiency and sustainability, Big Marble Farms combines large-scale food production with innovative energy solutions to support local jobs, food security, and community resilience.
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