wiredInUSA June 2020

Image courtesy of Fisher River Cree Nation

Power and pride

A new utility-scale solar farm, fully owned and operated by the Fisher River Cree Nation in Canada, has gone into operation. The facility is the largest of its kind in the province of Manitoba, and is the first utility-scale solar farm owned by indigenous people in the country. The Fisher River Cree Nation’s chief, David Crate, said that the project’s development is another step to producing revenue for the community, and that it goes “beyond generating money and electricity”, having brought a sense of pride and empowerment to his community.

The seven-acre PV facility will generate and sell power to Manitoba Hydro, the local electric company, for the next thirty years. Mr Crate believes there is vast potential for the development of additional green energy projects, providing revenue and employment to the 2,000 community members. The Fisher River solar farm was developed with the assistance of W Dusk Energy Group, an indigenous-owned firm that partnered with the community.

wiredInUSA - June 2020

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