Today, Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO company, and the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation announced the completion of Canada’s most northern off-grid solar project. Accordingly, through the Old Crow Solar Project, the community will benefit from reducing diesel use by 189,000 liters annually. These results will be particularly evident in the remote Yukon community of Old Crow.
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Moreover, and according to both Canadian Utilities Limited and the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, this opportunity will provide them with clean energy for decades to come.
Benefits from the Old Crow Solar Project
Fundamental is that the reduction in diesel fuel use is in line with the Vuntut Gwitchin’s 2019 Yeendoo Diinehdoo Ji’heezrit Nits’oo Ts’o’Nan He’aa Declaration. Indeed, this document calls for concrete action on combatting climate change. Besides, this project will create a reliable source of revenue for the community.
Noteworthy, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and Canadian Utilities developed a first-of-its-kind Electricity Purchase Agreement; particularly, to see this important project through to successful completion. Accordingly, this agreement will help both parties reach effective collaboration in the utility sector.
Thus, the Vuntut Gwitchin will serve as the Independent Power Producer, owner, and operator of the solar facility. On the other hand, Canadian Utilities will purchase the solar electricity generated for the next 25 years. Besides, the Company will feed it into the grid and then redistribute it to the community.
Particularly, during prime operating periods, the Old Crow Solar Project will produce enough electricity to meet the full load of the community. Later, this will decrease the operation of the existing diesel generation facility by an estimated 2,000 engine hours per year; thereby reducing the amount of diesel fuel used by an estimated 189,000 liters per year.
Reception at ATCO
In this sense, Melanie Bayley, President, ATCO Electric, shared in a media release the company is “enabling and accelerating the clean energy transition” for its customers. Additionally, it is looking to provide communities and community partners with sustainable, reliable energy alternatives;” however remote they may be,” she said.
Therefore, “with this landmark project complete, we intend to replicate our innovative model for effective collaboration; specifically, in similar remote and Indigenous communities across Canada. Thus, allowing them to achieve greater energy autonomy while lowering environmental impacts,” concluded Bayley.
In fact, Canadian Utilities, an ATCO company, was involved at each stage of the project’s lifecycle. Besides, the company noted in a media release that it is honored to collaborate with the Vuntut Gwitchin. Particularly, it is exciting to help realize a clean energy future for their community.
Previous work with Indigenous communities – Canadian Utilities
Worth noting, it is not the first time that the company has partnered with First Nations to support their sustainability pathways. Indeed, for decades, ATCO built strong, mutually prosperous Indigenous partnerships.
Currently, it has more than 50 joint ventures, relationship agreements, and other partnerships with Indigenous communities.
For instance, the Company previously developed the Fort Chipewyan Solar Farm in Northern Alberta. Moreover, it is currently the largest off-grid solar project in Canada; completed in partnership with three Indigenous communities.
ATCO is also a leader in the global transition to cleaner fuels and electricity. Thus, from developing a renewable natural gas facility in Alberta to proposed world-class clean hydrogen projects in Canada and Australia, the company is well-fitted to help its customers navigate the energy transition effectively.
Besides, ATCO is currently operating a fleet of solar and hydroelectric power generation in Canada, Mexico, Chile , and Australia; indeed, with a combined generation capacity of 77-megawatts of clean electricity for customers and communities.
