Canada becoming ‘energy superpower’ as 4 Nunavut projects get federal funding, Idlout says

Nunavut will get $17.2 million in federal funding for four clean energy projects that will be part of the country’s Arctic sovereignty push, Nunavut MP Lori Idlout says.

“It clearly shows that we are on the road to becoming an energy superpower,” the Liberal politician said at a funding announcement on Monday at the Iqaluit power plant. “Inuit and Indigenous peoples are leading the way.”

The money, which comes from the federal departments of Natural Resources and Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, will help fund wind turbines and solar energy projects.

Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp., which is owned by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, will get $4.8 million for feasibility and engineering design studies of solar and wind projects in Sanirajak, Kinngait and Resolute Bay.

Those studies should be “wrapped up” in a couple of months and, once completed, the projects should offset future diesel fuel consumption in the communities by more than 50 percent, said the company’s chief operating officer Heather Shilton.

Nukkiksautiit will also get $8.5 million toward the construction of a clean energy system that will power the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre. That should start operating in August, Shilton said.

Qulliq Energy Corp., Nunavut’s government-owned electricity provider, will also get funding: $1.3 million for “renewable energy studies,” Idlout said.

Sakku Investments Corp., the business development arm of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, will get $2.5 million for its solar and battery projects in the Kivalliq Region.

Nunavut burns more than 54 million litres of diesel fuel annually to generate electricity and the “demand is growing,” Idlout said, adding that the renewable energy projects will help battle climate change and make Canada more “independent.”

“Canada will no longer depend on any one international partner,” she said. “Instead, we will have a stronger, more independent country.”