Indigenous Canadian groups see wind project partnership with Enbridge as 'game changer'
The proposed 200MW Seven Stars facility vaults First Nations into forefront of Saskatchewan clean energy development
Enbridge and a coalition of six First Nations have created a consortium to develop the 200MW Seven Stars wind farm in Saskatchewan, among the largest clean energy project developments in Canada involving a publicly traded company and indigenous groups.
Seven Stars will produce electric power for more than 100,000 homes in the province. Enbridge, through a subsidiary, will develop, build, and operate the facility targeted for commercial operation in 2027. Six Nations members will have the option to acquire at least 30% ownership.
Six Nations Energy Development, newly created as a partner for this project, is comprised of Cowessess First Nation, George Gordon First Nation, Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Metis Nation-Saskatchewan, Pasqua First Nation, and White Bear First Nations.
Enbridge is working to secure the necessary environmental and regulatory approvals and is in talks with electric utility SaskPower to seal a long-term PPA that would support final project investment decisions.
Chief Matthew Peigan of Pasqua First Nation called Seven Stars a “game-changer” for the participating First Nations, adding, “We are pleased Enbridge sees that meaningful indigenous ownership is the way to build energy infrastructure in this country.”
Financial participation of the First Nation partners will be supported, in part, by loan guarantees of up to C$100m ($73.2m) from the provincial Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation.
Seven Stars is Enbridge’s first indigenous partnership focused on wind energy generation and represents a “unique opportunity for the growth of our renewables portfolio,” he said.
Dustin Duncan, minister of crown investments who oversees SaskPower, said Seven Stars will increase the province’s installed wind baseload power capacity to 800MW. Saskatchewan, located in western Canada, has set a 3GW target by 2035.
More broadly, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is counting on prairie provinces such as Saskatchewan to significantly ramp wind installations through 2035 to help Canada attain its ambitious net-zero electricity target.
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