The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut are at a pivotal moment: energy demand is up as populations rise, climate change is putting new pressures on the environment, policymakers, and communities, and the necessity of modern and resilient infrastructure has never been clearer. Each of these developments presents new challenges, but they also present opportunity.
Over the past ten years, clean energy has emerged as a compelling part of the solution, providing communities a pathway for economic development, diesel reduction, and job creation.
One of the most powerful tools for harnessing the opportunities that clean energy provides is through an independent power producer (IPP) policy—a framework that supports utilityscale renewable energy projects while reducing diesel reliance and advancing Indigenous leadership in the energy sector.
Policy makers in the North will be familiar with these policies, but each to different degree and under a different context: The Yukon is currently reviewing its IPP policy, the NWT is developing its first such policy, and Nunavut’s policy is set to expire in 2026.
What’s Inside This Publication
This resource highlights 10+ years of IPP activity across the North and translates these lessons into recommended actions under two strategic themes:
Embedding Indigenous Rights in IPP Policies:
Strong energy policies must reflect Indigenous governance, priorities, and rights. In this publication, we provide recommendations for strengthening and building IPP policies so they incorporate Indigenous rights, prioritize co-governance, and advance self-determination.- Strengthening the Business Case for Community‑Led Renewables
Building viable, long‑term renewable energy projects requires clear pathways for revenue and cost‑sharing. As part of this publication, we provide recommendations related to capacity building, PPA rates, and grid upgrade measures.
A Northern‑Focused Guide for a Rapidly Changing Energy Landscape
Since Yukon introduced the first territorial IPP policy in 2019, the policy and technical landscape for clean energy across the North has dramatically evolved. This publication captures the evolution of northern IPP policies, highlights successful lessons learned, and provides a policy template for creating or updating future policies.
Whether you are a policy‑maker, utility planner, or Indigenous government leader, this guide offers the tools needed to build fair, modern, and renewable‑powered energy systems in the North.
