An Indigenous-owned solar farm in remote northeast Alberta has been named the largest project of solar farms in Canada. After its grand opening in late November, increased renewable energy is finally brought to a community heavily reliant upon diesel fuel. Owned by Three Nations Energy, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Fort Chipewyan Metis Association, has been established to help relive climate threats and move away from reliance upon diesel fuel.
There are 5,760 solar panels that can supply 25% of the community’s energy needs. According to cbc, prior to the farm “Fort Chipewyan's roughly 1,000 residents got their energy from the ATCO-owned diesel power station, which every year burns three million litres of fuel trucked in on ice roads or delivered by river barge.
With the renewable energy being generated, it’s estimated to replace about 800,000 liters of diesel. This 7.6 million dollar project was helped funded by the state and federal government.
Stated by Alberta’s minister of Indigenous relations, Rick Wilson, "Indigenous people must have an equity stake in resource projects if there's going to be a healthy future for our vital resources industry".
"Projects like this will benefit generations to come."
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