Officials get bird’s-eye look at proposed hydroelectric plant site near Iqaluit
Location along Kuugaluk River could become city’s main electricity source by 2033
An entourage of government officials and business leaders takes a plane ride Wednesday to see the site of a proposed hydroelectric project northeast of Iqaluit. In the foreground from left to right are Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp. director Heather Shilton, Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Qikiqtani Inuit Asocciation president Olayuk Akseuk, and Northern Affairs Minister Gary Anandasangaree. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
A small river northeast of Iqaluit could become the source for the growing community’s electricity demand and replace all of its diesel-generated power.
“Inuit have always used that area for harvesting, so I have been lucky enough to go around,” Premier P.J. Akeeagok said after a plane tour over the river Wednesday.
Kuugaluk River is seen from a plane with low cloud covering what could become the reservoir for the future hydroelectric plant near Iqaluit. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Akeeagok got a bird’s-eye look at the potential site of the future hydroelectric plant near Iqaluit, joined by Northern Affairs Minister Gary Anandasangeree, Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Olayuk Akesuk, Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp. president and CEO Harry Flaherty and some staff members.
The Kuugaluk River flows from the northern end of Tasialuk Lake northeast for 40 kilometres before reaching Baffin Bay.
The site along the river, about 60 kilometres northeast of Iqaluit, was chosen as a potential location for the hydroelectric project that would include an approximately 50-metre-high dam and a powerhouse.
Anandasangeree made the hour-long tour a day after announcing $6 million in federal funding for engineering and design work on the plant. With low clouds over the area and having to wipe the plane’s foggy windows, it took a bit of work to see the site but it was worth it, he said.
Adamee Itorcheak, the secretary-treasurer of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, was also on the plane and said the proposed location was a special place for him as he caught his first wolf around there at the age of 15.
A group of politicians and business leaders poses for a photo after taking a plane tour over the site for the proposed hydroelectric plant near Iqaluit. From left are Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Olayuk Akesuk, Northern Affairs Minister Gary Anandasangaree, QIA secretary-treasurer Adamee Itorcheak, Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp. president and CEO Harry Flaherty. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Iqaluit’s move from diesel to hydroelectricity is led by Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corp., an Inuit-owned subsidiary of Qikiqtaaluk Corp., the business arm of QIA. The company started work on the hydroelectric plant in 2022.
Qulliq Energy Corp. initiated the project, but in 2014 put it on hold due to a lack of funding.
The proposed power plant could be operational by 2033 and serve for at least 100 years, NNC has said. It’s meant to sustain all of Iqaluit’s electricity needs, which account for 19 per cent of Nunavut’s entire demand.
The plant will work year-round and is anticipated to generate 15 megawatts of electricity a year. Iqaluit currently requires 10 to 11 megawatts.
Currently, Iqaluit uses about 15 million litres of diesel fuel a year to power its generators. Hydroelectric power generation uses moving water to turn turbines, which spin to produce electricity.
The total cost of the project is yet to be determined. In 2017, Johnny Mike, who was then Nunavut’s minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corp., told the legislative assembly the project would cost between $300 and $500 million.
Wasting money again!!!
Sounds like , a waste of money , when flying in the north this time of year , every is covered in white. But then Gary s days are numbered , will be unemployed soon.
Always negative comments. These ppl are trying to solve a future problem for Nunavut. A site should also be considered for Kivalliq Hydro for our future needs. I alone will determine what is waste for my TAX $$$ s about 35K but hey Nunavut, keep exploring how my grandchildren will have energy source in the future…
This picture reminds me. Of the occupants. Of the clown car. That the Shriners use in parades. Just saying
i,m offended by the cap Olayuk is wearing
GO HABS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What happen to all that work for which Manitoba Hydro assisted QEC in assessing several location and concluded the inlet south of Iqaluit was the most viable location to construct a Hydro Generation Plant.
Is QEC now starting from afresh?
I would guess this would be city municipal project but I expect GN, RIO QIA, and Feds will also be considering and taking small aircraft tours around Baffin to help fund hydroelectricity in smaller communities. Or is it just Iqaluit again who get special attention from these elected officials???????
Assuming a cost of $1 billion in the money of today–and if you’re lucky this estimate is low!—this project is hopelessly uneconomic compared with staying with diesel generation. The cost of diesel would have to be at least four times what it now is even to begin to justify this project. Is this another make-work project to benefit the promoters? Better to wait for compact nuclear generation currently under development. Meantime, use Nunavut’s own oil to generate electricity, as the mine on Little Cornwallis Island did. It doesn’t even need refining!