TORONTO, April 19, 2024 /CNW/ - As First Nations and
Métis communities are increasingly at the forefront of Ontario's energy transformation, the
Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is providing up to
$15 million for Indigenous energy
planning, infrastructure development and education to support
Indigenous leadership in the energy sector.
"First Nations and Métis communities are critical partners in
the energy transformation and the IESO is committed to building
enduring relationships and inclusive partnerships with Indigenous
Peoples," said Carla Nell,
Vice-President of Corporate Relations, Stakeholder Engagement and
Innovation at the IESO. "The Indigenous Energy Support Program is
one part of this commitment, promoting Indigenous leadership in the
sector while moving the needle on energy projects that will support
the growth and decarbonization of Ontario's electricity system."
The 2024 intake window for the Indigenous Energy Support Program
(IESP) is now open and runs until August 30,
2024. Indigenous communities are eligible to apply for
funding under one, or all, of the following streams:
- Capacity Building, such as professional training, community
engagement, youth and elder workshops and the hiring of a Community
Energy Champion to help identify, plan and implement energy-related
priorities for their community.
- Economic Development projects, such as renewable installations,
transmission projects, storage installations, sector partnerships
and capital projects.
- Energy Resilience and Monitoring activities, such as energy
planning, project monitoring, impact assessments and energy
auditing.
"This energy support program will ensure that Indigenous
communities can continue to benefit from new opportunities in the
electricity sector while also helping Ontario build a reliable, affordable and clean
energy system," said the Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of
Energy.
"The Indigenous Energy Support Program has been very beneficial
to our community," said Chief R. Donald
Maracle, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. "With this funding,
our Community Energy Team will be able to develop the skills they
need to build and maintain our renewable energy assets. We will
also be able to hire a Community Energy Champion to lead projects
that will strengthen our energy resilience, reduce costs for our
members and create economic opportunities for future
generations."
The Indigenous Energy Support Program is an important
foundational step towards the longer-term goal of achieving fair,
equitable and inclusive participation in the electricity sector.
This is especially important as the pace of Ontario's energy transformation accelerates
and First Nations and Métis communities become partners that bring
essential knowledge, experiences and perspectives to energy
discussions.
For more information about this year's Indigenous Energy Support
Program, visit the IESO's website.
Quick Facts
- Since the inception of the IESP in 2009, the IESO has
awarded $74 million in funding
to 170 Indigenous communities and organizations. Some examples of
past projects include training and skills building courses to work
on large grid-scale battery storage systems, the installation of
solar energy projects to support community energy needs and the
development of local micro-grids.
- Funding for the IESP was increased this year by
$5 million to a total investment of
$15 million. The extra funding will
allow more communities to implement energy infrastructure
projects.
- Indigenous communities play an active role in Ontario's electricity sector.
- The Wataynikaneyap Power Project is a partnership between
24 First Nations to connect 17 remote communities to the provincial
electricity grid.
- Under the IESO's Expedited Long-Term 1 procurement, nine
of the 15 approved battery projects had more than 50 per cent
Indigenous ownership.
- The ONEIDA battery storage project, which will be the
largest battery storage site in Canada, is being developed in partnership with
the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation.
- The IESO also supports Indigenous communities through the
First Nations Energy Programs offered by Save on Energy, which
cover community building retrofits, projects that help remote
communities manage their energy use and energy-saving upgrades to
existing homes.
About the IESO
The IESO operates Ontario's
power grid 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ensuring Ontarians
receive a reliable and cost-effective source of power when and
where they need it. It works with sector partners and engages with
communities across Ontario to plan
and prepare for the province's electricity needs now and into the
future.
SOURCE Independent Electricity System Operator