Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is providing $7.1 million to 61 projects that support energy planning, renewable generation, energy-efficiency measures, as well as skills development and training.
Funding announced last week will help enable Indigenous communities and organizations to manage their energy costs and support opportunities for their participation in the electricity sector, the IESO said in a press release.
A broad range of projects are being funded through the IESO’s Energy Support Programs. Projects will help non-grid-connected communities accelerate the transition away from diesel generation by installing renewable generation and/or energy storage, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving local resilience.
“We continue to listen carefully to our Indigenous partners with a view to ensuring our funding delivers tangible results and enables positive economic, environmental and social outcomes,” said Terry Young, IESO’s interim president and CEO.
“These are transformative projects, and we are pleased to work with funding recipients to create new opportunities and drive meaningful change that supports their identified priorities.”
Several funded projects also demonstrate a high degree of innovation, and will enable funding recipients to meet energy, environmental and social objectives. For example:
- Funding will enable Garden River First Nation to develop affordable solar-powered tiny homes for vulnerable single members of the community
- At-risk youth in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations will benefit from a paid energy-oriented employment, skills and training program delivered by the Wabaseemoong Youth Green Living Initiative
- 15 new Community Energy Champions will be hired, trained and given the opportunity to develop and execute local energy projects, which may include energy-efficiency measures that improve building performance, conserve energy and lower customers’ energy costs
- Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) will form a trained energy team to implement a comprehensive energy plan for urban and rural Indigenous people living off reserve in Ontario
- Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve will design and develop a unique solar-powered trigeneration system to provide heating, cooling and electricity
- And Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation will be able to assess the feasibility of co-developing a major transmission line, which has the potential to generate new revenue.
Since the inception of the programs in 2009, the IESO has provided $44.8 million in funding to 164 unique Indigenous communities and organizations. The next funding window will open near the end of Q2 2021.
The IESO also offers a suite of energy efficiency programs for Indigenous customers under the Save on Energy brand, with new or updated programs made available on a regular basis. More details will be available later this year.
“The Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek would like to thank the IESO for the Community Energy Champion funding,” said Chief Melvin Hardy. “Our Nation has a high interest in solar energy and now that the Champion is in place, this will allow us to look into this source of energy, including how we may be able to offset some of our energy costs and whether energy can be sold back to the grid.”
IESO has provided $44.8 million in funding to 164 unique Indigenous communities and organizations since 2009.