RANKIN
INLET, NU, July 29, 2024 /CNW/ - Indigenous-led clean
energy projects play an important role in reducing the use of
costly and polluting diesel for electricity and heating in Northern
and Arctic communities and support local jobs and economic
development.
Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs
and David Kakuktinniq, President of Sakku Investments
Corporation, announced over $19
million in federal funding for three clean energy projects
that will increase renewable energy generation in Rankin Inlet, Baker
Lake, and Naujaat, Nunavut.
Funding will support the construction of a 1.0 + megawatt
solar and battery energy storage facility in Naujaat, which
currently relies entirely on diesel to meet its electricity needs.
This new facility will supply 30% of the community's electricity
demand with locally-produced renewable energy. The project name
"Ikayuut" was chosen by the Hamlet Council of Naujaat. It comes
from the Inuktitut word "Ikayuuti," meaning "help, support, or
resources," and speaks to how the project will help support
Naujaat's power grid. Construction is set to start in the summer of
2024.
The federal government is also providing funding for early-stage
work on three solar installations on buildings owned by Sakku
Properties Ltd., a subsidiary of Sakku Investments Corporation, in
Rankin Inlet. The systems will
result in 300kW of installed generation capacity, which would
reduce diesel and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 56,000
litres and 178,000 kilograms each year. The systems are expected to
generate solar power for the community by 2025.
Funding is also being provided for the Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet Wind Energy
Development Projects to undertake research and development of wind
energy generation to reduce the communities' reliance on diesel.
They will incorporate traditional Inuit knowledge into community
input-driven wildlife studies for wind development in northern
Canada while supporting local
labour, capacity building, training and economic development.
These Inuit-led clean energy initiatives are foundational
to Nunavut's energy transition. Canada is working directly with Indigenous
communities to advance self-determination while building a
low-emission energy future and creating economic prosperity,
security and more resilient communities.
Quotes
"Sakku is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to deliver renewable energy
infrastructure projects for the Kivalliq region. Investing in
a clean energy future for Nunavut
is critical as our region grows and we shift away from burning
fossil fuels, which is vital to protecting our lands, waters and
communities for generations to come."
David Kakuktinniq
President and CEO of Sakku Investments Corporation
"As the Regional Inuit Association promoting the interests and
rights of the Inuit of the Kivalliq, we are pleased to support
Sakku Investments in advancing these important energy projects. It
is critical that we fight climate change, build infrastructure that
supports economic growth, and change the legacy of diesel fuel that
is shipped through sensitive Arctic waters. I'd like to thank the
Government of Canada for
partnering with us to ensure energy infrastructure in Nunavut is a priority. Let's continue to build
a stronger, greener future."
Kono Tattuinee
President of the Kivalliq Inuit Association
"It is great to be back in the Kivalliq Region to announce
support for new community-led clean energy initiatives. They are
crucial to tackling climate change and growing a clean energy
economy in the North. These Inuit-led and delivered initiatives
will reduce pollution, save money, and create good jobs in
Nunavut."
The Honourable Dan Vandal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for
CanNor
"In Nunavut and across the
country, clean energy presents an enormous economic opportunity
that will also help people save money on their energy bills and
keep the air clean. Supplying people in Rankin Inlet, Baker
Lake, and Naujaat with clean energy will make a real
difference in their lives and help fight climate change."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
"Helping advance Indigenous-led climate action projects, such as
the Ikayuut Solar and Energy Storage Project, is critical to
building a low-carbon economy and will help reduce the use of
diesel in Canada's Northern and
Arctic regions. This project will be a shining example to other
communities seeking to implement solar energy technologies and
other renewable energy projects in the North and beyond."
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and
Climate Change
Quick facts
- The federal government is investing $18.45 million toward a solar and energy storage
facility in Naujaat, including:
- $6.5 million through the Clean
Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program;
- $5.9 million through Environment
and Climate Change Canada's Low Carbon Economy Fund;
- $1,050,000 under Natural
Resources Canada's (NRCan's) Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative;
and
- $5 million through the Indigenous
Community Infrastructure Fund, delivered by Crown-Indigenous
Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) and administered by
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
- Through CIRNAC's Northern REACHE Program, the Government of
Canada is investing $220,000 in the early project development work
for solar photovoltaic installations on three Sakku Properties Ltd
buildings, a subsidiary of Sakku Investments Corporation, in
Rankin Inlet.
- The Northern REACHE program supports Indigenous and northern
communities' transition away from diesel fuel for electricity and
heating by promoting and funding renewable energy technologies such
as solar, wind, hydroelectricity, and biomass heating. To date,
Northern REACHE has supported a total of 222 clean energy projects
in the North with an investment of over $102
million, including 47 projects in Nunavut.
- NRCan is providing 1,313,282$ in funding for the Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet Wind Energy
Development Projects under the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote
Communities Program (CERRC).
- The CERRC program provides funding for renewable energy and
capacity-building projects to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels
for heating and electricity in Indigenous, rural and remote
communities across Canada.
- Supporting Indigenous leadership and collaborating on solutions
to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in Northern communities for
First Nations, Inuit and Métis is central to advancing the
reconciliation journey and self-determination.
- Launched in 2019 and developed with Indigenous representatives
and six territorial and provincial governments, Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy
Framework is a long-term vision for the Arctic and the
North, reflecting the priorities and perspectives of the Arctic and
northern people.
Associated links
Sakku Investments Corporation
Kivalliq Inuit Association
Low Carbon Economy Fund
Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program
Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada