Acho Dene Koe Geothermal Assessment

Acho Dene Koe First Nation Advances Community-Led Geothermal Energy Project in Fort Liard.

Project Type: Geothermal
Owned By: Acho Dene Koe First Nation
Status: Exploration
Project Start Date : 2023
Project Completion Date : TBD

Acho Dene Koe First Nation, through its economic development corporation ADK Holdings Ltd., is leading a community-owned geothermal energy initiative in Fort Liard, located in the Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories. The goal of the project is to assess and develop the geothermal resources that lie beneath the community’s traditional territory to provide a clean, sustainable, and secure source of heat.

Fort Liard is currently reliant on diesel and other fossil fuels for energy, which contributes to high costs and environmental impacts. Preliminary studies identified the Mattson Formation as a promising geothermal reservoir for direct-use heating. The current phase of work includes detailed geoscience, drilling and testing preparation, permitting, community engagement, and conceptual analysis of potential geothermal energy uses.

Geothermal energy use assessments will explore applications like district heating, greenhouses, poultry farming, and hot spring initiatives that can support food security, ecotourism, wildfire suppression, and long-term economic development. The project also prioritizes training and local employment, with roles such as a geothermal community liaison and project coordinator helping to build local capacity.

Acho Dene Koe First Nation sees this project as an opportunity to move away from boom-and-bust industries and toward a future rooted in self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship, and community wellness.

Chief and Council, along with community members, have expressed strong support for the project and its potential to transform Fort Liard into a leader in renewable energy in the North.

This project has received funding from Natural Resources Canada through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program.