Northwest Territories Power: NEW POWER PLANT OPENS IN LUTSELK’E

New high-efficiency diesel plant in Lutselk’e Dene First Nation community replaces one that had powered the community for decades. Plant will provide more reliable service, reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity generation by approximately 100 tonnes annually. Project received more than $8.7 million in funding from the Government of Canada through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

Key Highlights:

* Final costs for the plant are still being assessed but are expected to be approximately $14.9 million.

* A previous federal investment of more than $8.7 million, the new Lutselk’e diesel power plant facility will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity .

Original Press Release:

Lutselk’e, Northwest Territories, Jan. 25 -- Northwest Territories Power Corporation issued the following news release:

Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, Diane Archie, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, and Cory Strang, President and CEO of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, are pleased to announce the opening of a new high-efficiency diesel plant in the Lutselk’e Dene First Nation (LDFN) community.

The new plant replaces one that had reached the end of its service life, having powered the community for several decades. The new plant will provide more reliable service, reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity generation by approximately 100 tonnes annually, and allow for the future addition of renewables to the local energy system. In response to resident input received during the planning phase, the new plant is located away from the centre of town, thereby making it quieter for residents.

The project received more than $8.7 million in funding from the Government of Canada through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). Final costs for the plant are still being assessed but are expected to be approximately $14.9 million.

Quotes

“Investment in cleaner energy sources is critical to building healthy, resilient and sustainable communities in Canada’s North. Through a previous federal investment of more than $8.7 million, the new Lutselk’e diesel power plant facility will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity which means improved energy resources for years to come for the Lutselk’e Dene First Nation.”

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and

Communities

“Reliability of electricity service is critical in our harsh climate. The new plant in Lutselk’e will ensure that the number of generation-related power outages is reduced. Locating the new plant outside of the centre of the community – at the request of Lutselk’e residents – is another way the new plant will improve the quality of life for all residents.”

Diane Archie, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation

“Life will be better for our people as the new modern plant is outside of town. Our community will be quieter, the plant is further away from Great Slave Lake and the smell of fumes that the old plant produced will go away. This is a time of celebration for us.”

Chief James Marlowe, Lutselk’e Dene First Nation

“The funding provided by the federal government helps moderate the impact of the new plant on electricity rates. Without federal support, the full cost of the new plant would have been borne by customers.”

Cory Strang, President and CEO of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation

Quick Facts

* Lutselk’e is located on the eastern arm of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories and is not connected to the North American electricity grid, is off the piped natural gas network, and is not accessible by road.

* The Lutselk’e Dene First Nation installed a 35-kilowatt solar array in 2014 and is investigating other potential renewable options.

* Peak electricity demand in the community is approximately 360 kilowatt hours.

Source: Northwest Territories Power Corporation

[Category: Power, Power Generation, Business Expansion]