Solar plant complete at N.W.T.'s Diavik Diamond Mine

Rio Tinto says construction of a solar plant, which it calls the North's biggest, is now complete at Diavik Diamond Mine in the N.W.T. 

The 6,620 solar panels are expected to generate 4.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, according to a press release from the company — amounting to 25 per cent of the electricity needed when Diavik enters closure work in 2026. 

The panels are said to be bi-facial, meaning they'll generate energy directly from the sun but also from the light reflected off the snow during the wintertime. 

Most of the money for the project — $3.3 million — comes from carbon tax Rio Tinto paid to the N.W.T. government over the last several years. 

The territory held part of each diamond mine's carbon taxes between 2019 and 2023 and put it into a large emitter grant program — allowing the mines to access those funds again for greenhouse gas reduction projects. 

Caroline Wawzonek, the N.W.T.'s finance minister, said Diavik is the first of the N.W.T.'s mines to use the fund. She said the solar plant becoming operational is exciting for a variety of reasons, including for what she describes as a "huge" reduction in emissions. 

"To have that kind of reduction from an alternative energy source I think is really exciting," she told CBC News. She said it's also difficult for governments and small communities to be the first out the gate with new technologies, so for industry to prove new forms of technology works is helpful for those looking for energy alternatives. 

According to the territory's latest carbon tax report, Gahcho Kué has amassed nearly $2.1 million in the large emitter grant, and Ekati has amassed nearly $2.2 million. Wawzonek said both have made serious inquiries about using those funds as well. 

Rio Tinto said construction on the project began in February. Solvest Inc., a solar energy company in Whitehorse, and Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation were contracted to do the work. 

More to come.