The largest indigenous-owned solar farm in Canada has just been opened. Found in the community of Fort Chipewyan, this solar farm is located in Northern Alberta. Three First Nations tribes will be supplied with 2.2 megawatts of solar electricity, thus decreasing the dependency on the plant that has been fueling them for decades. This way, the tribes will be able to fuel their local community with low carbon and low cost alternatives thanks to Three Tribes Energy.
"We work with the sun, we work with the wind, we work with mother nature and we work the water for the children of the future—to give them a better life, a cleaner life," said Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. The group celebrated with a limited selection of guests due to COVID-19 precautions. The community, which up until now consisted of only 1,000 individuals, now no longer has to risk diesel driver's lives on icy roads.
Over 5,760 solar panels will help power about 25% of the community’s demand. However, due to artic sunlight hours, this method is not as lucrative as it might be in another location
"This is a very proud moment for all of us as a community," said vice-president of the Fort Chipewyan Métis Association, Blue Eyes Simpson. We’ve worked together very hard for these past couple of years."