Getting the North and Nunavut away from reliance on diesel fuel is a long-term goal for the government and environmentalists.

SA国际影视传媒淩eliance on diesel is not sustainable from an economic or environmental perspective,SA国际影视传媒� says Heather Shilton, director for Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation (NNC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (Inuit Birthright Development Corporation under the Qikiqtani Inuit Association). The Inuit-owned company falls under the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA).

SA国际影视传媒淥ur main goal is to work with QIA and Inuit communities across the Qikiqtani region to see what best aligns with their resource goals..." she said. "Costs are going up based on global events.SA国际影视传媒�

This initiative includes getting Baffin Island communities powered by renewable energy sources.

The first and most advanced of these projects is the Inuit-owned land grid, which has 740 solar panels being installed on the roof of the Aqsarniit Hotel in Iqaluit. Once operational, these solar panels will act as energy storage and provide the hotel with induction heating and power with the target of saving 76,000 litres of fuel annually, or about a 15 per cent reduction from current operations.

Construction on the project has been ongoing since 2019, and is expected to be completed this fall at a cost of $9 million, with some costs to be supplemented by Natural Resources Canada and the QIA.

Aside from cutting costs and greenhouse gas emissions, the project aims to allow Nunavummiut to SA国际影视传媒済et a holistic understanding of financial planningSA国际影视传媒� and help SA国际影视传媒済et a good handle on economic management going forward for the next 25 years,SA国际影视传媒� Shilton stated.

In the island community of Sanikiluaq, NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 southernmost hamlet, a wind farm called the Anuriqjuak Nukkiksautiit Project is expected to offset Sanikiluaq's diesel fuel usage by 50 per cent. In July, a 5,000-litre fuel spill occurred at the local tank farm.

After QC management completed a leadership tour in 2016, a study was commissioned by the corporation that rated the island community one of the top possibilities for wind energy development.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a pretty isolated spot,SA国际影视传媒� says Shilton, SA国际影视传媒渟o weSA国际影视传媒檙e just looking to offset that... there should be periods of time where it could be 100 per cent [wind energy] reliant, just not 100 per cent of the year... YouSA国际影视传媒檙e just switching the fuel source from diesel to renewable.SA国际影视传媒� The cost of the project is $16 million, with some of the project cost to be supplemented by Natural Resources Canada ($6.5 million), and some by the QIA.

In addition to becoming more self-sustaining via renewable energy, there is also another financial benefit for the community. Although the Government of Nunavut will reap the financial benefits of the energy through an energy purchase agreement, a portion of the proceeds will go towards the Community Endeavour Fund, which will determine how Sanikiluaq will benefit financially from the energy directly.

Similar projects for other communities in the Qikiqtani region are expected to be developed in the years ahead.

SA国际影视传媒淩enewable energy is sort of a mature technology these days,SA国际影视传媒� says Shilton. SA国际影视传媒淸ItSA国际影视传媒檚] been in the Arctic for awhile... We also have other projects in the region looking to replicate the Sanikiluaq project.SA国际影视传媒�

There are also hydro electric projects in development by NNC.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 certainly moving in that direction,SA国际影视传媒� says Shilton. SA国际影视传媒淚 think thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a number of reasons to look at renewable energy. If we can look at renewable energy, we should be doing everything we can to help [develop] that.SA国际影视传媒�