The Anahim Lake Solar Farm in British Columbia, Canada, will offer the Ulkatcho First Nation Renewable Energy, reducing the use of the external electricity generation community by almost two -thirds.
The work is underway on the largest off-grid solar project outside the grid so far.
The 3.8 MW Anahim Lake Solar Farm Project will be built near the Anahim Lake in British Columbia, the westernmost province of Canada. A groundbreaking ceremony took place earlier this week.
The project will offer the Ulkatcho First Nation, a government of First Nations in the Province, with renewable energy, reducing the use of the external electricity generation diesel, where it is currently completely dependent on 64%.
Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister, said that it is currently the largest off-grid solar project from Canada. “This is how goal -oriented action, led by the community, looks like,” he added. “The solar farm of Anahim Lake is a positive step towards reducing emissions, strengthening local economies and promoting economic reconciliation.”
The solar farm, announced for the first time last year, will be built and fully owned by Ulkatch Energy Corporation. Project works also include the construction of new roads and access paths, as well as Investments in fire management and security.
Local Electric Utility BC Hydro signed its very first Community Electricity Purchase Agreement with Ulkatch Energy Corporation in April 2024. The agreement will buy the Zonne energy utility that has been generated on the farm for the next 20 years.
BC Hydro has also committed itself to upgrading the Anahim Lake Station Microgrid. The upgrade comprises the installation of a storage system for battery energy and a Microgrid operating system, transitional operations from analogue to digital. A declaration from the company adds that this upgrade will reduce dependence on diesel, considerably reduce carbon emissions and significantly improve the reliability of the services.
Earlier this week, the Government of Canada announced a different investment of 4.9 million ($ 3.6 million) in the project, which means that the total obligation can up to almost 17 million.
The total investments can surpass 20 million, thanks to additional funds from the British Columbia government and the Ulkatcho First Nation, as well as the Community Energy Diesel Reduction Program and BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative, which was funded by the Federal and Provincial Government.
Canada installed 314 MW solar energy in 2024, which brings the cumulative installed PV capacity to more than 5 GW.
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