Mackenzie County has finalized an agreement with Calgary-based PowerWood Canada Corp. to develop two wood pellet manufacturing facilities within its region. The project is described as a first-of-its-kind venture in Canada, converting wildfire-damaged wood into clean energy. The agreement was announced by Mackenzie County Reeve, Josh Knelsen.
The development represents hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment and has the potential to create up to 300 direct jobs, with additional employment anticipated in related sectors.
The first site, located east of La Crete, is shovel-ready with services in place and is projected to begin construction by mid-2026. A second site south of High Level will serve as both a rail shipping hub and a location for a future production facility, adding a new value-added energy stream to the region's economy.
