Kwadacha First Nations receive funding to help transition from diesel to cleaner energy

FORT WARE, B.C. – Kwadacha First Nations is beginning to transition from diesel to clean electricity and creating local jobs in the process.

The province’s Renewable Energy for Remote Communities (RERC) program is providing $486,000 towards a $496,000 100-kilowatt (kW) solar panel installation at the community school. This installation will help the community meet the demand for electricity, reduce air pollution, and improve environmental outcomes.

“Our CleanBC goal is to reduce diesel consumption for power generation in remote communities by 80 per cent by 2030,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources. “By building partnerships and creating opportunities with Indigenous communities and businesses, we can help remote communities get off diesel and benefit from more efficient, healthier, and cleaner fuel sources.”

Three remote First Nations communities in the province are receiving $1.8 million in support to help transition from diesel to cleaner energy. The Lhoosk’uz Dené, Hesquiaht, and Kwadacha First Nations are recipients under the RERC program.

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” said Darryl McCook, Chief, Kwadacha First Nation. “This project fits perfectly with Kwadacha’s vision of becoming energy self-sufficient in a green and sustainable way. Renewable energy is the way of the future. This project allows Kwadacha for the first time to see and use this technology. Having this project tied to the school will give the children of Kwadacha a better understanding of solar power and its possible uses in the future.”

The RECR program is part of the CleanBC Remote Community Energy Strategy. The government launched the program in 2019.