Market Snapshot: Clean Energy Projects in Remote Indigenous and Northern Communities
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Release date: 2023-02-15
There are approximately 178 remote IndigenousFootnote 1 and NorthernFootnote 2 communities that are not connected to the North American electricity grid and natural gas infrastructure. All-year road access is only available in some of these communities, and over half are fly-in only.
These remote communities generally rely on diesel fuel for electricity generation and home heating. Exceptions for electricity generation include the primarily hydroelectric-based regional grids in Yukon and around the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories (NWT).Footnote 3 Exceptions for heating include Inuvik and Norman Wells in NWT, where natural gas (locally supplied or liquifiedDefinition* and trucked-in) is used for heating. Some buildings may also have the option of heating with propane, biomass (wood pellets), or electricity (via resistance or heat pumps).
Figure 1: Map of remote Indigenous and Northern communities in Canada and their primary source for electricity
Sources and Description
Sources: NRCan – Remote Communities Energy Database, Statistics Canada – 2021 Census of Population, Various Indigenous community websites, CER
Description: This interactive map illustrates the location of 178 remote Indigenous and Northern communities in Canada. The size of each circle indicates community population size, while the colour of each circle illustrates the primary source for electricity generation.
The number of remote Indigenous and Northern communities in each province and territory are as follows: Yukon (21), NWT (35), Nunavut (25), B.C. (27), Alberta (4), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (4), Ontario (26), Quebec (22), and Newfoundland and Labrador (14). There are no remote Indigenous communities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
Indigenous Clean Energy Projects
| Northern Territories | |
|---|---|
 |
Sree Vyàa (Old Crow Solar Project) |
 |
Aklavik Solar |
|
Inuvik Solar |
 |
Gjoa Haven Clean Energy Implementation |
 |
Arviat Clean Energy Microgrid |
| Western Canada | |
|---|---|
|
Bella Bella Heat Pump Project |
 |
Tsay Keh Dene Biomass Project |
|
Three Nations Energy (3NE) |
| Central Canada | |
|---|---|
 |
Pikangikum Power Line Project |
|
Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project In addition to providing clean and reliable power from Ontario’s low carbon intensity grid, the Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project is expected to offset 25 million litres of diesel fuel annually. In 2021, the project was awarded the Clean50 Top ProjectFootnote 13 for the year. The entire project is expected to be operational in mid-2024. |
|
Fort Severn Solar Project |
|
Giizis Energy Microgrid |
|
Animiki Ickote Project |
| Atlantic Canada | |
|---|---|
 |
Nain Wind Power Micro-Grid |
|
High Efficiency Woodstove Replacement Program |
Diesel’s role in remote communities
Since most remote communities are far from refineries, diesel fuel must be hauled long distances by truck over all-year or seasonal (winter/ice) roads, ship or barge on waterways, or plane. In these communities, refined productsDefinition* are stored in large above-ground storage tanks and delivered to customers by trucks.
Diesel has advantages for remote communities. It provides a reliable source of non-variableDefinition* heat and power in extreme climates. The fuel is also easy to transport and can be stored for long periods of time.
However, diesel also has its disadvantages. The fuel is expensive to purchase and transport and its high cost is often subsidized to make it affordable for residents in remote communities.Footnote 22 The fuel is carbon- and particulate-emitting, resulting in local air quality issues. It can leak or spillFootnote 23 in storage, during transport, and from home tanks. Lastly, aging generators can also failFootnote 24Footnote 25 when needed most. Often with only one primary power source, a generator interruption could leave a remote community without power for an unknown period.
Upcoming energy projects
Many remote Indigenous and Northern communities across Canada are implementing projects to reduce or eliminate their reliance on diesel for electricity and/or heating needs. What follows is a selected list of recent, current, and future projects to show the diverse nature of these clean energy solutions.Footnote 26
This list of projects is intended to provide a cross-section of the varied and unique solutions to reduce remote Indigenous and Northern communities’ reliance on diesel. For communities presently powered and heated by diesel, options are very limited for complete diesel elimination. Through grid connections and building retrofits, some communities may be able to eliminate all diesel use. However, communities in very remote locations may need to wait for technological advancements, partnerships, and investments for diesel elimination solutions.Footnote 27
Increasingly, Indigenous communities are assuming ownership and control of renewable energy projects, leading the way to a clean energy future.Footnote 28Footnote 29 Investing in clean energy solutions that reduce reliance on diesel fuel will support remote communities as they work to enhance their energy security and make small but meaningful contributions to self-determination and Reconciliation.
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