The B.C. government, through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF), supported clean-energy projects in 27 Indigenous communities in five regions across the province in 2021. The funding totalled over $3.8 million. 

The government states that the FNCEBF helps develop clean-energy projects driven and owned by Indigenous communities in areas such as solar, ocean thermal, wind energy, biomass, run-of-river hydroelectric power, energy-efficiency planning and other clean energy-related areas—all with the goal to increase the participation of Indigenous communities in B.C.’s clean-energy sector.

As yet another atmospheric river flowed over BC this week, the need for climate innovation has never felt greater. It’s also key to acknowledge the stewardship shown by Indigenous communities towards their land and climate. Indigenous people have cared for the lands on which we now live and work as settlers for much longer than we have. 

Share

Projects funded in the B.C. Interior

Three Indigenous communities received funding:

• The Okanagan Nation Alliance - $500,000 in equity funding for the construction of a 15-megawatt utility-scale solar project located on the Upper Nicola Band Reserve, The project involves a multi-community partnership between the Upper Nicola Band and the Okanagan Nation Alliance and is in collaboration with FortisBC

• Xwísten (Bridge River Indian Band) - $30,000 in capacity funding for a community energy plan, which will provide a comprehensive long-term plan to support Xwísten’s energy resiliency, improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, build knowledge, reduce emissions and foster innovative energy solutions in the community

• Ulkatcho First Nation - $50,000 in capacity funding for West Chilcotin Forest Products’ clean-energy business plan, which is a company owned and operated by the Ulkatcho First Nation. The business plan will help them transition to the clean-energy sector by establishing a solar farm and reducing diesel power use by residences on the Anahim Lake Reserve

Projects funded on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands

10 Indigenous communities received funding:

• The Uchucklesaht Tribe Government - $49,708 in capacity funding for the Uchuck Creek hydro project which will replace diesel generators with a cleaner hydroelectric power source

• Halalt First Nation - $145,875 in equity funding to support Phase III of an implementation project that promotes efficient energy consumption and savings

• Homalco First Nation - $20,012 in capacity funding to advance Orford micro-hydro operations and create a maintenance plan

• Klahoose First Nation - $203,876 in equity funding for a project that will replace diesel power generation for the Klahoose Wilderness Resort with hydroelectric power from Laurus Creek

• ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation - $100,000 in equity funding for heat pump installations

• Pacheedaht First Nation - $30,000 in capacity funding to develop a community energy plan and conduct a micro-grid pre-feasibility study

• Penelakut Tribe - $100,000 in equity funding to start Phase I of its community energy plan, which focuses on identifying energy-efficiency opportunities for residential and community buildings and renewable energy development

• Quatsino First Nation - $100,000 in equity funding for heat pump installations

• Tseshaht First Nation - $30,000 in capacity funding to develop a community energy plan

• Wei Wai Kum First Nation - $30,000 in capacity funding to develop and execute their community energy plan that promotes efficient energy consumption and savings

Projects funded on BC’s North Coast

Five Indigenous communities received funding:

• Skidegate First Nation - $400,000 in equity funding for the Tll Yahda Energy solar-farm project which will help Haida Gwaii shift from reliance on diesel-generated power to renewable energy

• Old Masset Village Council - $400,000 in equity funding for the Northern Haida Gwaii Hospital heating project

• Heiltsuk First Nation - $29,012 in equity funding to complete the community heat pump initiative and reduce diesel reliance

• Kitselas First Nation - $500,000 in equity funding for Kitselas Geothermal Inc. to replace fossil fuels used for industrial heating with geothermal resources in the Fuel for Reconciliation project

• Wuikinuxv Nation - $202,525 in equity funding to install a smart-energy metering and control system

Projects funded on BC’s South Coast

Three Indigenous communities received funding:

• The Musqueam Nation - $98,775 in equity funding to improve energy efficiency in three buildings owned by the Nation. The project includes two retrofit measures to upgrade the current mechanical systems in the administration building with new high-efficiency equipment, and new LED lighting will replace inefficient lighting fixtures in the administrative building, the cultural centre and the community centre

• Xa’xtsa (Douglas) First Nation - $35,485 in capacity funding to support a feasibility study for integrated heating and energy systems

• Sqéwqel Development Corporation (Seabird Island Band) - $50,000 in capacity funding for a feasibility study to assess the viability of both becoming a renewable natural gas supplier and constructing a renewable natural gas plant in partnership with FortisBC

Projects funded in the Northern BC

Six Indigenous communities received funding:

• Saulteau First Nation and…

• Doig River First Nation - $150,000 (for both Nations) in equity funding toward solar expansion in their communities. The Nations will install 25-35 small-scale residential solar photovoltaic systems on their reserve lands, prioritizing vulnerable and low-income community members, to advance energy self-sufficiency and reduce energy bills. Additional funding sources supporting this project include nation equity and rebates provided under the Greener Homes Grant Program. These projects will also include EnerGuide evaluations on community homes

• Binche Keyoh Bu Society - $30,000 in capacity funding to develop a Binche Whut’en community energy plan, which will improve existing infrastructure, identify future development opportunities and guide the pursuit of renewable energy generation

• Clarke Lake Geothermal LP - $100,000 in equity funding for the Fort Nelson First Nation’s Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal project, which will repurpose the Clarke Lake gas field into one of Canada’s first commercially viable geothermal electricity and heat production facilities. This second round of funding covers a portion of the total cost of the sub-surface resource and surface facilities engineer design work

• Daylu Dena Council - $30,000 in capacity funding to develop a community energy plan, which will decrease energy costs and investigate options for renewable energy

• Wet'suwet'en Nation - $149,950 in equity funding for community solar installation and related training

Future projects

The FNCEBF is accepting applications for the next intake until January 31, 2022. The fund is also resetting its capacity funding limit to $50,000.

Share