Deh Tai LP, the economic development arm of Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) partnered with BPG to develop a Community Energy Plan for the Nation in 2019. The CEP, which included a comprehensive and detailed approach to energy efficiency, renewable energy analysis and community engagement was completed within a 9-month period in parallel with the start of a major geothermal project development – Tu Deh Kah Geothermal. BPG delivered a CEP process that provided broad energy-related education in the community and identified energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities that could be advanced alongside the geothermal energy project. BPG has acted as Project Manager for both the CEP and Geothermal projects.
The FNFN CEP process included detailed assessment of three solar energy project development business model opportunities: roof-mounted solar to offset electricity bills for community buildings, ground-mounted solar for an off-grid Nation-owned hot springs resort to offset diesel consumption, and commercial scale solar farms throughout the FNFN traditional territory. Commercial scale wind opportunities were also assessed, with four promising sites identified for further study. The CEP process also allowed the geothermal project to be explored in the context of community energy needs – for example, a feasibility study examined potential local uses of direct heat from a future geothermal plant including in a district heating network, for greenhouse-based agricultural production, and for hot water heating for spas.
This project has received support from Natural Resources Canada.