The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF) has provided funding to four First Nations communities in the northern and interior regions of British Columbia, Canada, to increase participation in clean energy projects.
The FNCEBF supports energy efficiency projects and those that replace diesel with renewable energy usage, like solar, ocean thermal, wind energy, biomass and hydroelectric power.
The four First Nations communities to receive funding are the Daylu Dena Council, the Kispiox Band, the Tŝilhqot’in National Government and Witset First Nation.
The Daylu Dena Council was awarded $50,000 to install a rooftop solar system at a former residential school building, which will serve as a multi-purpose community center, providing space for recreation, educational and cultural activities for children, the Elders and the community. This center will also serve as the administrative office for the council. The integration of a rooftop solar system will replace diesel consumption in the community.
The Kispiox Band was provided $30,000 capacity funding for a community energy plan, which will set the baseline energy consumption, provide insight into clean-energy generation and efficiency opportunities and clarify community energy development goals.
The Tŝilhqot’in National Government also received $30,000 capacity funding to explore a clean-energy plan. The government will evaluate the renewable-resource opportunities, including wind, geothermal and biomass resources, across the territory. It will review the clean-energy studies, work with the six communities, evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the plan and devise a funding strategy and an implementation plan.
Witset First Nation has received $150,000 equity funding for a small-scale solar, residential metering project, which includes the installation of 20 small-scale solar systems on reserve lands.
In the past year, the FNCEBF has provided over $3.8 million in funds for capacity and equity projects in 27 First Nations communities in British Columbia.
