Canada’s largest off-grid solar energy project is now under construction in the remote community of Anahim Lake, British Columbia. The project, led by the Ulkatcho First Nation and its energy corporation, aims to dramatically reduce reliance on diesel power by generating clean electricity from a hybrid solar system.
The Anahim Lake Solar Project is backed by nearly $15.8 million in federal and provincial funding. Once complete, the solar array will cut diesel use in the community by 64 percent, reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and long-term fuel costs. The project will also include battery storage and diesel backup for reliability.
This marks the first time a Community Electricity Purchase Agreement has been signed in B.C., allowing BC Hydro to buy power directly from an Indigenous-owned energy company. Engineering firm Hatch designed the system and has been involved since the project’s early planning in 2020.
Local leaders say the project reflects the Ulkatcho First Nation’s commitment to sustainability and self-determination. Construction includes building essential infrastructure like a control facility, access roads, and safety systems. Once completed, the system will feed into the local microgrid, bringing stable, clean energy to the community and setting a precedent for other remote regions.
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