The Six Nations Energy Development LP - a new consortium of Cowessess First Nation, George Gordon First Nation, Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Pasqua First Nation and White Bear First Nations - and company Enbridge Inc announced plans this week to advance development of a new wind energy project southeast of Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
Renewable Energy Magazine repors that the Seven Stars Energy Project is expected to produce 200 megawatts of power; enough to support the annual energy needs of more than 100,000 Saskatchewan homes.
The Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation is providing loan guarantees of up to CAD100 million (AUD100million) to help facilitate the financial participation of the partners.
The First Nation and Métis partners have an opportunity to acquire equity ownership of at least 30 per cent in the Project.
The plan is to have the clean energy Project up and running by 2027, subject to finalising commercial agreements, environmental and regulatory approvals, and meeting investment criteria.
Enbridge is working toward securing a long-term power purchase agreement with SaskPower, expected by the end of next year.
Chief Matthew Peigan of Pasqua First Nation told Renewable Energy Magazine that the Project is "a game-changer for the Indigenous Nations, Métis and First Nations".
"This Project will produce emissions-free electricity for Saskatchewan and provide a stable source of revenue that will benefit our people for many years to come," he said.
"We are pleased Enbridge sees that meaningful Indigenous ownership is the way to build energy infrastructure in this country and we look forward to developing this Project together."
Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Brent Digness, said: "We're pleased to be working with Enbridge and have the opportunity to strengthen our kinship with First Nations on this important renewable energy initiative. This is our moment to not only benefit the environment but support the long-term well-being of our communities and advance First Nation and Métis economic reconciliation."
Enbridge's Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and President, Power, Matthew Akman, said the collaboration is the company's first Indigenous partnership focused on wind energy generation and first Indigenous partnership in Saskatchewan.
"The clean electricity Enbridge and our Indigenous partners will provide will help meet the demand for safe, reliable and affordable energy for residential, small business and industrial use well into the future," he said.
Saskatchewan Minister Responsible for SaskPower, Dustin Duncan, said that in collaboration with industries' evolving energy needs, the utility continues to make progress on its commitment of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and deploying up to 3,000 MW of wind and solar generation by 2035.
"Partnerships like this between Enbridge and Six Nations Energy Development will support SaskPower in achieving its emission reduction targets, while also providing extraordinary benefits to Saskatchewan's First Nations communities," he said.
President of Six Nations Energy Development LP, Jake Sinclair, said partnerships like this take "commitment, creativity and ultimately a leap of faith".
"I am proud of our team who have leaned-in with Enbridge on the ultimate goal of delivering a sustainable project that provides both energy to Saskatchewan and strong financial returns for Enbridge and the First Nations and Métis partners..." he said.
The Project will be developed, constructed and operated by a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Enbridge.