Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation

Published purpose

To support increased infrastructure and energy demands throughout the 20th century, diesel generators were installed in all communities across Inuit Nunangat. This continues to be the case today where new power plants are being installed and/or upgraded with additional diesel fuel generators. While fossil fuels currently support nearly all heat and electricity loads across Inuit Nunangat, there is a strong desire to develop renewable energy sources to mitigate against climate change impacts and improve resiliency. Challenging crises, such as the recent contamination of Iqaluit drinking water with fuel, remind us of the vulnerability and risk in Inuit Nunangat of relying on a single source for critical infrastructure requirements. To help address these challenges, the project herein has three proposed key areas of work: 1. Feasibility assessments and technological evaluations for three key types of house-scale renewable energy systems well-suited to Inuit Nunangat; 2. Integration and performance evaluation of house-scale renewable energy systems and energy storage with demonstration house in Iqaluit, Nunavut; and 3. Development of remedies to barriers of renewable energy adoption in Inuit Nunangat and advancement of socio-economic development. This project will integrate Inuit values, needs and interests with renewable energy technology evaluations and deployment in Inuit Nunangat. The equipment that will be installed and tested in Iqaluit will serve as an educational and training platform beyond the life of this project. Remedies to barriers of renewable energy adoption will be developed in accordance with Inuit Quajimajatuqangit through coordination with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association’s Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit department, the parent Inuit birthright organization of the project proponent, Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation. Inuit representation is embedded in this project by the project definition and leadership, students that will contribute and advance their training, and community members that wish to participate in the project by providing paid services or community engagement with consideration. This project will contribute to Arctic energy resilience through the capacity development and de-risking of technology that will be undertaken. Training opportunities for residents of Inuit Nunangat will be available and increased demand for renewable energy technology installation, operation, and maintenance will lead to community economic development. This project will alleviate the key barriers of renewable energy deployment in Inuit Nunangat to create an easier path to follow for future proponents, regulators, and utilities. Scientific outputs and publications arising out of this work will be adapted and translated to be accessible to a wide audience across Inuit Nunangat. Community engagement throughout the whole project will be conducted to the extent that communities and individuals wish to engage. Project CSTIP Agreement #: ANCP-312396 Page 16 | 26 NPO_JA_CSTIP_Grant (vers CINUK April 14, 2022) progress and outcomes will be shared at key events with Inuit representation, such as trade shows, conferences, and regional meetings. Addressing the complex set of challenges for renewable energy deployment and operation in Inuit Nunangat requires the combination of work plans detailed in this project description for accelerating impact.