August 18, 2022 - Other News

Inuvik Solar Project to Utilize Brownfield Site

By: CBN

Nihtat Energy Ltd., a northern Indigenous-owned and operated company, is developing a 1-megawatt solar farm on a brownfield site in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. The project is expected to displace 434,000 litres of fossil fuel and reduce 380,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. This will improve local air quality and save the community $1 million in diesel costs per year.

In addition, the project is generating financial and social benefits for the Nihtat Gwich’in Council and Gwich’in community members through the creation of six construction jobs and four part-time operation jobs while facilitating training and capacity-building opportunities for local, Indigenous-owned businesses. Construction of the project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Inuvik currently consumes the most diesel for heat and power in the Northwest Territories. This project builds on the success of several other solar initiatives in Inuvik developed by Nihtat Energy Ltd., including those providing power to the Northmart, Solar Residential Program, Mackenzie Hotel and Inuvik Satellite Station Facility—all of which are contributing to reducing Inuvik’s reliance on diesel.

“This project demonstrates the value of developing collaborative approaches to project planning and development in remote communities, which include local project developers and the utility,” said Grant Sullivan, CEO, Nihtat Energy Ltd. “Throughout the planning process, NEL and NTPC worked together closely to ensure the project was developed in a manner that would maintain safe and reliable service and also reduce GHG emissions on the Inuvik grid. This joint effort will result in enhanced energy security for the residents of Inuvik, Northwest Territories, and ensure that the community will have a meaningful, ongoing role in mitigating the impacts of climate change.”

The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, and the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced that Canada’s new Clean Energy for Indigenous and Remote Communities Hub has invested a total of $5.586 million to help advance the Inuvik 1-Megawatt Solar Project, including $1 million from Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Electricity program (Northern REACHE), $4.189 million from Natural Resources Canada’s Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program, and $397,000 from Natural Resource Canada’s Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative.