Engineering Design (EOD) for Scotford Solar

Challenge

The Scotford Solar Project, located at the Shell Scotford Refinery, is a 58 MW (AC) / 81 MW (DC) fixed, ground-mounted solar facility interconnected at 25 kV. As one of Canada’s largest behind-the-meter solar installations, the project required careful integration within a highly active and complex industrial refinery environment, where safety, reliability, and operational continuity are critical.

The client required a design that would optimize long-term energy production while minimizing disruption to existing refinery operations. This included accommodating existing infrastructure, working within constrained site conditions, and aligning with strict operational and safety requirements. The project also demanded a solution that could be constructed efficiently without interfering with ongoing refinery activities, while still meeting long-term performance and maintainability objectives.

Solution

SLR served as the electrical Engineer of Record (EOR), delivering full engineering design services in collaboration with Alltrade Industrial as the prime EPC contractor.

The team developed electrical solutions designed to maximize production yield while maintaining operational continuity within the refinery. This included careful system layout, interconnection design, and coordination with existing electrical infrastructure to ensure seamless integration at 25 kV.

Constructability and phasing were key considerations throughout, enabling installation to proceed alongside active refinery operations with minimal disruption.

In addition to leading the electrical design, SLR directed the civil and stormwater management design. The team optimized road grading and drainage by strategically leveraging the site’s natural topography, reducing the need for extensive earthworks and minimizing overall civil scope. This approach improved constructability, reduced costs, and supported long-term site performance.

Close coordination across electrical, civil, and environmental considerations ensured the facility was efficiently integrated into the existing industrial setting, balancing technical performance with practical execution.

Impact

The completed project represents one of Canada’s largest behind-the-meter solar installations and supports Shell’s long-term energy transition strategy.

By delivering an optimized and highly constructible design within a complex operating environment, SLR enabled the refinery to offset approximately 20% of its energy demand with renewable power over the project’s lifespan. The design approach minimized disruption during construction and ensured reliable long-term operation, aligning with the refinery’s operational requirements.

In addition to advancing emissions reduction goals, the project demonstrates how large-scale renewable energy can be successfully integrated into existing industrial facilities. It provides a replicable model for future behind-the-meter solar developments in similarly constrained and operationally sensitive environments, supporting broader decarbonization efforts across the industrial sector.