A remote First Nation community in Northern Quebec will soon rely less on diesel fuel for energy thanks to an investment from The Canada Infrastructure Bank.
CIB announced that it has closed a $24 million loan to support the Atikamekw of Opitciwan in building a five-megawatt facility that will generate electricity by burning bark, sawdust, and woodchips produced by an adjacent sawmill, with steam from the energy plant powering a new wood kiln at the sawmill.
“The Canada Infrastructure Bank’s $24 million investment in the Atikamekw of Opitciwan’s biomass cogeneration facility is good news … and a testament to the country we’re building together with all our partners,” stated François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue.
The Centrale de cogénération d’Opitciwan, along with a new substation and battery energy storage system built by Hydro-Quebec, will cut thousands of tonnes of emissions and reduce diesel use by millions of litres, as well limit power outages for the remote community of 2,500.
The plant “will supply the community with a reliable, secure energy source, along with additional economic opportunities,” says Ehren Cory, chief executive of CIB.
Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, described the project as “a vital step forward” for the community.
Jean-Claude Mequish, Chief of the Council of the Atikamekw First Nation, agrees.
“By using local and renewable resources, we can not only produce clean energy, but also stimulate our local economy and ensure energy security for our members,” remarked Mequish. “This project is an example of what we can achieve when we work together for a greener, more prosperous future.”
CIB recently funded the Anuriqjuak Nukkiksautiit Project, which includes a one-megawatt wind turbine and a one-megaunity watt-hour energy storage system for the Far North hamlet of Sanikiluaq.
Canada Infrastructure Bank is also working with Creative Energy, the owner and operator of one of North America’s largest district energy systems, on a project targeting the “deep decarbonization of buildings.”