Canadian govt to fund 200-MW wind project on First Nations lands

March 21 (Renewables Now) - Canadian renewable energy company Boralex Inc (TSE:BLX) and Indigenous communities will this year start building a wind farm in Quebec that will add 200 MW of power generation capacity to the province.

The project will be supported by Indigenous Services Canada with CAD 3 million (USD 2.2m/EUR 2m) in funding, the government department that oversees policies relating to Indigenous people said on Monday.

The Apuiat project is a 50/50 partnership between Boralex and Societe en commandite Apuia (SEC Apuiat), which serves as the umbrella of several local communities. The project was originated by UK-based RES Group and developed in collaboration with Boralex. RES offloaded the scheme to the Canadian firm and the Indigenous nations in 2021.

The Apuiat wind farm is planned to be installed on public land within the traditional territory of the Uashat mak Mani-utenam First Nation in Cote-Nord region. With building works slated to begin in this year’s winter season, the complex is due to become operational in December 2024.

Canadian utility Hydro-Quebec will be the power off-taker. It has committed to buy the plant’s entire output under a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA).

The construction phase of the project is expected to create about 300 jobs.

(CAD 1.0 = USD 0.731/EUR 0.682)