BC Hydro inks agreement for Taylor wind farm with Saulteau First Nations

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Saulteau First Nations (SFN) has taken a step forward over its participation in the Taylor Wind Project.

SFN signed an electric-purchasing agreement with BC Hydro on January 23rd in partnership with EDF Renewables North America.

A press release says the project will provide “clean, renewable energy” to meet the increasing demand for power among B.C. residents and businesses.

Chief of SFN Rudy Paquette says “the future is bright” for SFN and all who will benefit from the project.

“Our investment in Taylor Wind will create jobs and economic development, while also respecting our treaty and making wise use of our natural resources,” said Paquette.

Provincial energy and climate relations minister Adrian Dix signed the agreement alongside Paquette, EDF Renewables North America senior vice-president Cory Basil, minister of indigenous relations and reconciliation Christine Boyle and Chris O’Riley, president and chief executive officer of BC Hydro.

Dix said the agreement’s signing is a testament to what can happen “when we build partnerships to increase First Nations’ participation in the clean-energy sector and advance economic reconciliation”.

When completed, the project will consist of 40 wind turbines, a substation, a high-voltage transmission line, and additional infrastructure.

It is expected to generate 200 megawatts and power an estimated 60,000 homes.

The total cost of the investment will be $600 million and create approximately 150 jobs throughout the duration of the construction and operation of the project.

The Taylor Wind Project was passed as part of BC Hydro’s Call for Power initiative, which saw 10 projects approved.

A stipulation is the projects must be in part owned by First Nations. SFN will hold 51 per cent ownership of the Taylor wind farm.
It is expected to be completed by 2031.

More information is available on the provincial government’s website here.

A previous version of this story, published on January 24th, stated the wind farm would generate 20,000 megawatts rather than 200. The story was updated on January 25th to rectify this error.