Thirty-five First Nations throughout B.C. are receiving $9.8 million in federal and provincial funding to develop clean energy projects that will help them meet their energy needs efficiently and sustainably while creating more jobs for people in their communities.
"First Nations are key partners as we work together to build cleaner, more resilient communities and power B.C.'s growing economy with renewable electricity," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. "From roof-top solar to residential heat pumps and large-scale wind generation, the projects receiving funding today will advance Indigenous clean energy and create new opportunities across the province."
The projects are receiving funding through the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI), a partnership between the Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, and New Relationship Trust (NRT). This round of BCICEI support includes $7.5 million from PacifiCan and Indigenous Services Canada and approximately $2.3 million from the government of B.C through its CleanBC plan. The funding will help First Nations develop and implement clean energy generation, energy efficiency and energy storage projects, creating employment and business opportunities in their communities.
"New Relationship Trust is dedicated to bolstering First Nations' leadership in clean energy throughout B.C. These endeavours reduce greenhouse gas emissions, propel economic growth, and foster well-being in urban and rural Indigenous communities province wide," said Walter Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of NRT. "The BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative stands out as a distinctive funding program that is guided by Indigenous leadership, and fosters collaboration across various sectors, from government, to industry, to First Nations organizations."
The clean energy projects differ in size and scope: from installing Air Source Heat Pumps in 70 homes for Sik-E-Dakh Band; installation of a solar PV system on a former fish farm that is being redeveloped into a research centre for regenerative forestry practices for Kwiakah First Nation; to conducting a feasibility study for a 40 mega-watt wind project for Metlakatla First Nation.
To further support First Nations clean energy projects, the Province, NRT and PacifiCan are about to start work on design of a new funding stream for BCICEI that will allow small scale renewable energy projects which are ineligible to submit to BC Hydro's calls of power due to their size, to move forward and contribute to the power grid. The new stream will be funded with $140 million that was first announced in June 2023. This design process will kick off with an engagement period to gather ideas from interested First Nations.
For the full list of projects, please see backgrounder here.
