Secure fair prices for Indigenous-led renewable energy projects
Indigenous-led renewable energy projects provide environmental, economic and social benefits to communities. Despite this, project funding and revenue streams do not fully reflect the associated value of renewable energy projects.
CONTACT US
Are you a part of an Indigenous community with or working to launch a clean renewable energy project? Contact us to learn more about how we can support you.
Our research and advocacy on Fair and Inclusive Rates (FAIR) seeks to address funding gaps and secure fair and equitable energy prices by raising awareness, conducting research, initiating collaboration and advancing advocacy efforts.
With FAIR, we aim to:
- Build networks to lower information and access barriers
- Reform regulatory frameworks and pricing models to support Indigenous energy sovereignty
- Recognize and integrate Indigenous rights and reconciliation in financial and public policies
- Increase public and private investment toward Indigenous-owned renewable energy projects
Benefits of fair prices
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Interested in learning more? Expand to read our research and publications.

Energy justice in remote communities How integrating energy justice in power purchase agreements can accelerate an Indigenous-led clean energy transition

Reexamining Rates for Remote Renewable Energy How integrating energy justice in power purchase agreements can accelerate an Indigenous-led clean energy transition

Why we need fair prices for Indigenous-led renewable energy Utilities and investors can support rates that account for the benefits of clean energy
Between 2015 and 2020, the number of renewable energy projects in remote communities across Canada nearly doubled. Yet, despite this growth in renewables, as much as 79 per cent of the electricity used in remote communities is still generated using diesel fuel. Fair and equitable prices for Indigenous-led clean energy allow projects to be sustainable and account for the social and environmental benefits of using less diesel and advancing Indigenous energy sovereignty.

Independent Power Producer policy in Nunavut Nunavut IODI champion and Pembina Institute feedback

Recommendations on energy policy in the NWT Briefing note to the Government of NWT

Recommendations on the forthcoming IPP Policy To be presented to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

The case for investing in clean energy in remote communities Recommendations on how to improve access to capital

Recommendations to the Government of Nunavut to accelerate clean energy projects Improving policies to meet energy needs and climate goals
Nunavut is almost entirely dependent on diesel power for meeting its electricity and heating needs and has the highest diesel dependency of all territories and provinces. Policies that regulate the terms and conditions, as well as the rates paid to power producers, can be significantly improved so that producers are incentivized to develop clean energy projects that are sustainable, profitable, and contribute to reducing reliance on diesel power.

Diesel Subsidies — Simplified, Part I In remote communities, subsidies mask the true cost of using diesel fuel and impede the transition to clean energy systems
Subsidies for diesel fuel use in remote communities have kept prices artificially low, disincentivizing efforts to find efficiencies or alternative, renewable, energy sources. Diesel Subsidies Simplified Part I explains the critical role of subsidies as an obstacle to transitioning to clean energy systems, how subsidies work, and how financing can be redirected to open up opportunities for energy alternatives that lower emissions and improve social, environmental and health outcomes.

What’s a fair and equitable price for renewable energy in remote communities? The rate structure of power purchase agreements in remote communities needs radical transformation to advance renewable energy projects
A well-designed independent power producer policy with a fair and equitable power purchase agreement rate promotes the adoption of locally led renewable energy projects in remote communities. A fair and equitable energy price must capture the full costs of building and operating a diesel-based energy system within an accurate PPA rate structure for renewable-energy projects. As well, energy developers in remote communities must include community- and Indigenous-led electricity developers.

Recommendations on QEC CIPP policy application Joint briefing note to the Government of Nunavut
This briefing note was submitted by WWF-Canada, Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation and the Pembina Institute in response to QEC's Commercial Institutional Power Production policy proposal (May 2020). While we appreciate QEC’s effort to develop this CIPP policy, the policy as laid out will do little to encourage the adoption of renewable energy systems in Nunavut and therefore contribute little to put Nunavut on a path of transition away from diesel.

Recommendations on QEC’s commercial institutional power production policy application Pembina Institute submission
The Pembina Institute reviews the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s (QEC) commercial institutional power production (CIPP) application. Although it is encouraging to see this application, it is the Pembina Institute’s opinion that the proposed policy will do little to encourage renewable energy uptake for commercial and institutional customers in Nunavut. Several statements do not appear to meet the stated mandate of QEC to support renewable energy.

B.C. Indigenous Utilities Regulation Inquiry Letter of Comment
There is considerable momentum among Indigenous nations in B.C. pursuing self-government and a higher degree of energy independence. The current regulatory environment has the potential to restrict such goals.

Comments on Qulliq Energy Corporation’s proposed IPP policy Pembina Institute submission on independent power producer program in Nunavut
A well-designed IPP policy in Nunavut would create valuable opportunities for Indigenous communities and project proponents in developing renewable energy projects.

The True Cost of Energy in Remote Communities Understanding diesel electricity generation terms and economics — 2nd edition
This backgrounder breaks down some common fuel cost terms that are important for conversations around transitioning remote communities away from diesel.

Renewable Energy Partnerships and Project Economics Research supporting Indigenous–utility partnerships and power purchase agreements
This report examines strategies for enhancing collaboration and partnership between Indigenous power proponents and utilities and territorial / federal governments.
Become a part of the solution
Securing fair and equitable energy prices in support of Indigenous communities requires collaboration across sectors, governments and regions. Get in contact with us to learn more about how you can help make clean energy accessible to all.