TransAlta has scrapped plans for a major wind energy development project in Southern Alberta and postponed three others.

Plans had called for the 300-megawatt Riplinger project to be located near Cardston, Alta., south of Calgary.

During a conference call with analysts, TransAlta President and CEO John Kousinioris said the project has been removed from the company’s growth pipeline due to new provincial restrictions on development near protected areas and what the government defines as pristine viewscapes.

Calgary-based TransAlta has put the three other clean-energy development projects on hold until the company receives clarity on new rules covering renewable power projects. The postponed projects are the 300-megawatt Tempest wind project near Lethbridge, the natural-gas-fired 44-megawatt Pinnacle generator west of Edmonton and the 180-megawatt WaterCharger battery storage facility in the Cochrane area.

Alberta United Conservative government introduced its new renewable-power rules in February following a seven-month moratorium on such projects.