Minister Vandal announces investments in clean energy projects to help reduce diesel use in Nunavut

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

For more information, media may contact: Kyle Allen, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, and the Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor, [email protected]; Matthieu Perrotin, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, [email protected]; Joanna Sivasankaran, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, [email protected]; Kaitlin Power, Senior Press Secretary and Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, [email protected]; Denise Kusugak, Community Coordinator, Sakku Investments Corporation, 867-645-2805, [email protected]; Media Relations: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-934-2302. [email protected]