Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation building the largest First Nation solar project in Canada

At 70 megawatts the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is building the largest First Nation solar project in Canada

By David Dodge, GreenPlanet Energy Analytics

ACFN Solar Projects at Monarch, Coaldale, and Vulcan - Map by GreenPlanet Energy Analytics

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) and Concord Green Energy have begun construction of three large solar farms in southern Alberta which together totals 68.1 megawatts of capacity, enough to power 10,000 homes.

The project is a $140-million joint venture between ACFN Green Energy LP and Concord Green Energy, and it represents the largest First Nations solar project in Canada.

The projects are part of ACFN’s Green Energy Business Investment Strategy developed in 2018.

“We have to walk the talk on environment and climate protection in our business activities,” says Chief Allan Adam. “ACFN wants to be a leader in helping Alberta and Canada protect the climate.”

The ACFN dipped its toes into solar last year when they built a 2.2-megawatt solar project in Fort Chipewyan with Three Nations Energy, a jointly owned project of ACFN, Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Fort Chipewyan Metis Association. That project will offset 25 per cent of the diesel generation in the remote, northern First Nations community. “Solar is now one of the cheapest and best choices for power and this business venture lines up with our environmental responsibilities and values,” says Adam.

ACFN’s new 70-megawatt project represents a significant investment in diversifying the First Nation’s business interests. “We continue to look at ways to diversify business opportunities outside of the oilsands,” says Jason Schulz, executive director of strategic advisory services for ACFN.

“I think it’s the right move not only for green energy, but to promote ACFN and go down that path because it’s a source of revenue that will always be there for future generations,” says Adam.

Chief Allan Adam of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

PHOTO DAVID DODGE.

the three solar projects in southern Alberta near the communities of Monarch, Coaldale, and Vulcan. By the numbers:

• Monarch: 23.6 MW – 79,200 solar modules

• Coaldale: 22.5 MW – 78,720 solar modules

• Vulcan: 22 MW – 78,720 solar modules

The Monarch and Coaldale projects are scheduled to be operational in Q1 of 2022 with Vulcan going live in Q2.

As part of its green energy strategy, ACFN is also implementing more than a dozen clean energy projects locally in Fort Chip including hydroponic food production, residential energy efficiency, biomass heating, and offgrid solar for member cabins on the land.

ACFN has resided in and around the Peace Athabasca Delta and Athabasca River regions for thousands of years and has a registered membership of 1,200 people, one third of which live in Fort Chipewyan. ACFN also owns ACDEN, an energy service company in the oilsands, as well as other business ventures.

Rendering of the Monarch Solar Project. BY CONCORD GREEN ENERGY.

For Chief Adam, the project represents an amazing moment in history, the culmination of years of hard work developing a new vision for his people. “It’s something that’s unbelievable,” he says. “I can’t even find words to say it because we’re part of it, and it just brings goosebumps to the back of my head.”

Adam says the project is just part of a vision of a future that looks out for the greater good of generations to come, whether they are “Albertans, Canadians, or the Indigenous community.” The Athabasca Chipewyan community is already feeling the impacts of climate change and he sees investments in solar as beginning to balance the scales from fossil fuel dependency. “This is just a great example of embracing newer technology, newer opportunities, improvements, and economies of scale to pursue a merchant power project that will deliver long-term revenue,” says Schulz. And he also sees the projects as a way to “mitigate some of the carbon footprint associated with community endeavors and the oilsands.”

Concord Green Energy is a subsidiary of Concord Pacific a company with numerous active hydro, solar, and wind projects in Canada. The project was developed with GreenPlanet Energy Analytics, and GP Joule PV Canada Corp. is providing engineering, procurement, and construction services for the three projects.

Support pilings being installed at Monarch Solar Project.

PHOTO MICHAEL BECKER.