Renewable Energy Studies

Project Objective

The objective of the renewable energy studies project is to gain a better understanding of territorial generation assets throughout all Nunavut communities, as well as all of the recommended renewable energy penetration on a community level. As such, QEC will be able to rapidly judge if a renewable energy integration program is deemed technically acceptable based on existing infrastructure when proposed either by commercial and institutional customer via CIPP (Commercial and Institutional Producers Program), a residential customer via net metering or even though an IPP (Independent Producers Program); this will accelerate project approvals and uptake of renewables in Nunavut.

Benefits

Since all 25 Nunavut communities are powered by diesel-powered generators, this project is an instrumental first step in addressing the territory’s energy transition to clean power and enabling Canada’s future net-zero electricity profile. There will be improved environmental and economic benefits for QEC’s customers that are approved to integrate renewable energy projects onto the grid.

Results of this study will be made public and available to the communities. It will be useful to inform community-led project design, specifically system sizing to accelerate project development, approval and implementation. The knowledge advances will inform the IPP policy, currently under development, and will aid in the development of territorial regulations related to the Nunavut community grids.