GN approves plans for new power plants in Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven and Igloolik

Planned power plants for Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven and Igloolik got a stamp of approval from the minister in charge of the Qulliq Energy Corporation.

Jeannie Ehaloak approved the projects this week, according to a news release from QEC.

The energy corporation submitted applications for the projects in March 3.

“Investing in the territory’s power infrastructure will help support Nunavut’s economic growth and meet the future energy needs of Nunavummiut,” Ehaloak said in the release.

The Cambridge Bay plant is expected to cost more than $50 million, Gjoa Haven, more than $36 million and Igloolik, more than $35.7 million. QEC will apply for federal funding through the Arctic Energy Fund to cover most of these costs, the release said.

The corporation is expecting the power plants to be built by 2026.

Ehaloak also approved plans to replace the Iqaluit power plant’s generator set, which is made of a diesel engine and an alternator that produces energy. That is expected to cost almost $8.5 million and be completed by 2024.

The new plants will run on diesel, said the corporation’s acting president, Bill Nippard, in an email to Nunatsiaq News.

But that “the new power plant designs will enable QEC to better integrate renewable energy into the power grid.”