Facilitating new connections in the Peace River region

As part of our work to get out and have conversations with people in the regions that will host British Columbia’s proposed new wind and solar projects, our team recently hosted a few of our independent power producer (IPP) friends on a visit to the Peace in Northeastern BC.

We were honoured to be welcomed to the Saulteau First Nations Cultural Centre, where, together with the Community Energy Association (CEA) and Relay Education, we convened a ”Renewable Energy in the Peace” regional dialogue and workshop with community leaders from local government, First Nations, business and workforce development.

We then hopped over to Chetwynd to tour the operations and maintenance facility for the Dokie wind facility.

Then it was on to Fort St. John, where we participated in this year’s Creating Energy Conference, which the Fort St. John and District Chamber of Commerce hosts each year.

Look for the CEA’s summary of the session here.

Northeastern British Columbia is already a renewable energy powerhouse, with  seven operating large wind projects and dozens of community solar projects. We spoke with community leaders about the benefits that renewable energy development has brought to the region to date—including new sources of local tax revenue and jobs. 

For example, the owner of the Quality Wind project pays approximately $2.9 million in property tax each year, contributing annually to community tax bases and supporting the improvement of infrastructure, roadways, and community services. Community solar such as the Saulteau First Nations rooftop solar projects contribute to energy security, resilience, and lower electricity bills.

As we listened and heard stories about these installations, we identified new opportunities to collaborate as the next round of proposed projects move through regulatory review. We learned how communities and organizations can collaborate with industry as local leaders and educators—to increase local awareness and inspire leadership. We also heard excitement about the prospect of new jobs and opportunities for workforce development.

Community leaders also spoke about their concerns with potential impacts from new projects to local infrastructure and the environment. Local renewable energy project operators spoke first-hand about their experience with tackling some of these issues, and we talked about the new regulatory framework now in place that will ensure projects are developed, constructed and operated responsibly. 

Huge thanks to Innergex, EDF, Capital Power and Clean Energy Association of British Columbia (CEBC) for supporting our visit. Thanks also to the Saulteau First Nations, Vestas and the Fort St. John & District Chamber of Commerce for hosting us.

All photos this post courtesy Rob van Adrichem, Community Energy Association.