TOOLKIT: Best Practice Guide for First Nations clean energy projects

First Nations Clean Energy Network launched the guide in February 2024.

The guide is for First Nations wanting to develop a clean energy project in their homes and communities.

The toolkit is full of great graphics that appropriately reflect the reality and context often experienced in remote communities.

Twelve months in development, the new Community Energy Planning Toolkit outlines a 7-step framework for communities to take an idea into planning, feasibility and design, getting funding, seeking approvals, building, and monitoring a clean energy project.

Karrina Nolan, co-Chair of the First Nations Clean Energy Network says the opportunity of renewable energy should and can be available to all.

• “First Nations people want to develop clean energy projects in homes and communities and on Country.”
• “We want to drive community-owned renewable energy projects that deliver local secure jobs and affordable reliable electricity.
• “In Canada, Indigenous nations are now the second largest asset owners of renewable energy, with thousands of small to large scale clean energy projects.””
• “It can happen here too. We believe it’s more than time that all of our people have access to clean energy.

For many First Nations communities, affordable, secure and sustainable power is not yet a reality. High energy costs, unreliable power and frequent household electricity
disconnections are a big challenge. Most communities are not connected to an electricity grid but instead rely on local, diesel-powered generators to produce electricity. Diesel is expensive and delivery can be unreliable due to weather, seasonal accessibility, and limited transport options, which means both government and electricity users pay high costs for power.

A community solar roll-out program would allow remote Indigenous households to see an immediate benefit through reduced energy costs that will lead to consistent refrigeration for fresh food and the safe storage of medicines. It will also help people stay connected to power.

Energy insecurity is a real problem faced daily by Aboriginal communities, especially in remote communities of the NT. Climate change bringing an increased number of hot days and more variable weather will only worsen this insecurity.  Long-term, affordable, sustainable, community-led, and welcomed energy solutions are important for the health and safety of these communities and this tool-kit is a great starting point for achieving this.