On September 25, 2020, Ermineskin Cree Nation Chief and Council and its corporate division, the Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies Inc. (NGCI) celebrated the official opening of the Neyaskweyahk Sundancer 1 megawatt (MW) solar energy farm. The grand opening of the 1MW solar array at Ermineskin Reserve in Maskwacis, Alberta, celebrated an important milestone approximately two years to the day the community broke ground to begin construction of the project.
Project Plan
The project will support the goals of the Ermineskin Cree Nation to diversify its economy, leverage resources, and create long-term economic and training opportunities for the community. Ermineskin Cree Nation began construction of the project in 2019 and took approximately a year to complete. The project was energized on March 24, 2020 and began commissioning on March 25, 2020.
The project received both federal and provincial support. The province provided $2.25 million in funding through the Alberta Indigenous Green Energy Development Program. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) provided $700,500 in funding through the Western Diversification Program.
Quotes:
“The work of the Ermineskin Cree Nation and the Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies in developing this initiative is a wonderful reflection of this community’s leadership and innovation with renewable energy. Community-led initiatives like this help Canada adopt innovative technologies and transition to a clean growth economy with lower greenhouse gas emissions. New training and new jobs, lower energy costs, and a reduced carbon footprint – I am excited about how this project will benefit residents of your region for years to come.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
“The Neyaskweyahk Sundancer LP Solar project aligns well with both the values and objectives of NGCI and Ermineskin Cree Nation, and offers an opportunity to blend goals for the future with foundations from the past. Our community will benefit from this project in so many ways – from economic and employment opportunities to environmental and social benefits for Ermineskin Cree Nation.”
– Maureen Ward-Caisse, President and CEO, Neyaskweyahk Group of Companies Inc.
For more information, contact Maureen Ward-Caisse at maureen@ngcinc.ca or (780) 585-3000.
