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Transforming Brownfields into Brightfields with Sustainable Opportunities
2025 CMC-Canada's Project of the Year - Silver Winner
Project Details
Project Lead: Wesley Paterson, CMC
Consulting Firm: Paterson Consulting Inc.™
Client: RenuWell Energy Solutions Inc.
Client Sector: Renewable Energy & Environmental Sustainability
Project Duration: July 9, 2024 – February 27, 2025
Background & Project Summary
"Transforming Brownfields into Brightfields with Sustainable Opportunities" is a pioneering initiative that repurposes Alberta’s retired oil and gas well sites into grid-connected solar energy and storage facilities. Through an innovative advisory partnership between Paterson Consulting Inc. and RenuWell Energy Solutions Inc., the project seamlessly blends environmental reclamation, sustainable energy development, and economic revitalization.
Leveraging the CMC Canada Management Advisory Services Program, Paterson Consulting Inc.’s collaboration with Renuwell provided strategic guidance, stakeholder engagement, and advisory services to create a replicable model for transforming abandoned sites into valuable solar power assets.
Key Outcomes
Guiding Innovation Through a Bold Vision
Wesley Paterson, CMC® - President of Paterson Consulting Inc., played a pivotal role in developing Renuwell’s groundbreaking project to transform retired Alberta well sites into productive, environmentally sustainable, and grid-connected solar and energy storage facilities. This effort became a model for not only environmental reclamation but also community economic development.
The initial pilot project, a collaboration with IRRICAN, Elemental Energy, Canadian Solar, and SkyFire Energy, achieved national recognition, garnering both the Alberta Emerald Award and the Brownie Award for leadership in environmental innovation.
Strategic Leadership Driving Results
Through the CMC Canada Management Advisory Services Program, Wesley led Renuwell through a rigorous, holistic visioning process that included developing a SPOT matrix, context mapping, a bold long-term vision, and decisive action steps. This forward-thinking approach delivered measurable results, including:
- Completion of IRAP Project validating technical and partnership models.
- Initiation of 25+ new reclamation site opportunities, bridging energy, agriculture, and municipal governance sectors.
- Advocacy for policy changes leading to key recommendations being accepted and adopted at the 2025 Alberta Chambers AGM & Policy Plenary Session.
These efforts have influenced national conversations on renewable energy, becoming a benchmark for forward-looking models of energy, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity.
Skills and Expertise
- Strategic Advisory – Charting clear pathways, unlocking potential, and maximizing high-value opportunities for organizations.
- Collaborative Execution – Building cross-sector partnerships and aligning multifaceted teams to drive seamless execution.
- Visioning Processes – Crafting innovative frameworks for long-term success, from bold visions to actionable plans
Impact & Recognition
This initiative has become a national and international model for brownfield redevelopment and renewable energy integration. The scalable potential for Alberta includes:
- 6,200 MW of solar PV deployment, reducing 4.3 million tonnes of CO₂e annually.
- $9.9 billion in solar construction investment and $1.1 billion for oil & gas reclamation efforts.
- 77,500 direct construction jobs and 1,860 permanent positions in renewable energy.
- Strengthening municipal tax bases and diversifying Alberta’s rural economy.
Through Paterson Consulting’s visionary leadership, RenuWell Energy Solutions Inc. has overcome regulatory barriers, secured cross-sector partnerships, and established a lasting framework for energy, environmental, and economic revitalization.
About the Consultant
Wesley Paterson, CMC, is a renowned management consultant specializing in sustainable energy solutions, strategic leadership, and economic revitalization. Through his firm, Paterson Consulting Inc., Wesley has guided organizations in transformative projects, leveraging his expertise in stakeholder engagement, business development, and policy advocacy.
As a driving force behind Transforming Brownfields into Brightfields, Wesley spearheaded industry-changing innovations, crafting a replicable model for brownfield reclamation and renewable energy deployment. His leadership has influenced national and provincial energy policies, making a lasting impact on Alberta’s renewable future.
Company Bio
Paterson Consulting Inc. provides premier management advisory services, guiding organizations toward sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and strategic transformation.
With expertise spanning energy, environmental policy, and economic development, the firm specializes in turning complex challenges into scalable opportunities. Through innovative consulting methods, Paterson Consulting has played a pivotal role in reshaping Canada’s approach to sustainable energy.
As a leader in renewable infrastructure and environmental strategy, Renuwell Energy Solutions Inc. & Paterson Consulting Inc. continue to drive industry change, ensuring that brownfield redevelopment evolves into a scalable solution for future energy sustainability.
