The federal government has announced it will invest more than $1 billion into Indigenous-led wind projects to support New Brunswick’s clean energy transition.
It will contribute up to $1 billion for 670 megawatts of Indigenous-led wind projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. An additional $25 million for the 25-megawatt Neweg Energy wind project, a partnership with the province’s Mi’kmaq First Nations.
It also committed $500,000 toward the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council to provide seven Mi’kmaq Nations in New Brunswick “with resources and technical support and enable direct participation in clean energy opportunities.”
The announcement was made in Dieppe on Saturday by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault.
“This is a very exciting day for New Brunswick,” Guilbeault said in a release. “Our two governments are united by a common goal of building a clean grid in New Brunswick that can power homes and businesses with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. Switching to clean electricity can save New Brunswickers money on their monthly bills while building that cleaner grid means more quality unionized jobs. Making sure our grid is zero-emitting is a major step to fighting climate change, truly a win-win-win for everyone.”
The release said the two levels of government have worked with First Nations partners together to move toward a net-zero future.
Saint John Energy is one of the organizations that have already partnered with Indigenous communities. It produced, alongside Neqotkuk Maliseet Nation and Natural Forces, a 42-megawatt wind farm just outside Saint John called the Burchill Wind Farm.
“We are very happy to be collaborating with federal and First Nations partners to grow our economy and decarbonize our electricity grid,” said Premier Susan Holt. “Ensuring affordable and reliable energy for New Brunswickers and making progress on our clean energy commitments are priorities for our government.”
According to the release, these Indigenous-led projects were meant to provide emissions-free and affordable power for New Brunswick households and businesses and “were identified as part of NB Power’s request for expression of interest, which was launched in 2023.”
NB Power recently got approval for a significant rate hike by the New Brunswick Energies and Utilities Board as it grapples with significant debt and aging infrastructure.
“We have exciting opportunities before us that will lead to a cleaner environment, more economic growth and, most importantly, an affordable and secure energy supply for New Brunswickers,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy in a release, who is also minister responsible for energy. “Here in New Brunswick, as well as throughout the Atlantic provinces, we face the highest rates of energy poverty in the country. This new federal funding for our priorities, as well as investment in Indigenous-led wind projects, takes us a step closer to meeting our clean energy goals and commitments.”
It is expected the new wind projects will help meet the need for increased power resulting from the province’s recent population growth.
“Wind generation will not only complement our power grid, but allow us to grow our supply chain here in the province, creating jobs, investment and, at the same time, reducing emissions,” said Legacy.
Other projects receiving support under this agreement include:
- A commitment from Natural Resources Canada to work with the provincial government and NB Power to support the conversion of the Belledune Generating Station from coal-fired to biomass-powered through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program.
- An additional $1.6 million from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to further investigate the Belledune Generating Station conversion through engineering and planning studies, as well as testing to evaluate different biomass fuel options.
- $25 million to NB Power for up to 600 megawatts of new small modular reactor capacity at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generation Station.
- $1.3 million to NB Power for pre-development work on the modified Atlantic Loop transmission line between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
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