Indigenous-led clean energy projects could help clean up Canada's grid, say advocates
CBC
Indigenous-owned or co-owned renewable energy projects have a role to play in helping Canada come closer to reaching its climate targets, says one advocate.
James Jenkins, executive director of Indigenous Clean Energy, a not-for-profit that supports Indigenous-led clean energy projects at the community level, said Indigenous-owned or co-owned renewable energy projects increased over the last decade.
“Every project that's not emitting does help Canada reach that target,” said Jenkins.
Data released from Environment and Climate Change Canada in December suggests Canada will fall well short of its 2030 climate goal — just halfway to its target of a 40 to 45 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels.
Jenkins, a member of Walpole Island First Nation in southwestern Ontario, said among the growing list of operations are hydroelectric, wind and solar projects, and battery storage. Renewable generation can generate revenue which is then reinvested into community, he said.
Jenkins said generally, there’s alignment between community values and these kinds of projects.As of 2022, the Canada Energy Regulator website said First Nations, Métis and Inuit were partners or beneficiaries in about 20 per cent of Canada's existing electrical-generation infrastructure.
The website said as of 2022 the number of renewable projects on traditional Indigenous territory or reserve lands quadrupled between 2009 and 2020.
Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation are among the partners in Oneida Energy Storage, a lithium-ion battery energy storage facility.
According to the website of Northland Power, the project's majority owner, it is the largest grid-scale battery energy storage facility in Canada and is expected to reduce emissions by between 1.2 to 4.1 million tonnes, the equivalent to taking up to 40,000 cars off the road.
CBC Indigenous reached out to Northland Power for comment but did not receive a response by publishing time.
Jenkins said leadership at the federal, provincial and territorial levels needs to continue this positive trajectory in areas like federal grants for the construction of Indigenous-led projects.
He said many provincial governments are predicting a sharp increase in demand for electricity over the next 10 years.
“Indigenous communities have been trusted partners in Canada and while many of us feel very frustrated through the process, working at it on the day-by-day level and on the ground as a whole, it's been a real success story,” Jenkins said.
Ross Linden-Fraser, research lead of 440 Megatonnes, a data project at the Canadian Climate Institute tracking climate policy, said Indigenous nations have been "at the forefront of some of the really encouraging developments in clean electricity.”
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