Feds commit nearly $22m to Labrador renewable energy projects

November 29, 2025

Federal government continues to assist more Indigenous communities go green

Photo of Makkovik Bay taken January 18, 2024. Photo by Barry Andersen

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The federal government is investing nearly $22 million in Inuit-led Labrador clean energy projects focused on solar, wind, and tidal power.

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The first is the Nain Wind Microgrid Project, the over $22m in federal funding for which will support installation of two 1.5 kW wind turbines and battery storage. The result: 1.6 million litres or 63 percent less annual diesel consumption in the region.

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“I think is just an incredible win for the community, for the environment, for Canada,” said Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty told The Telegram.

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Apart from the obvious environmental benefits, it’s said power will become more affordable for Nain residents, and combined with increased power availability, more economic opportunities will open up.

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An unspecified region near Rigolet is host to the second: the Rigolet Tidal Project, which nearing the end of the assessment phase. Federal funding here totals $225,000 and will support data collection in order to inform possible tidal energy facility locations.

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The Makkovik Arena Solar Project is the last of the three. Details on it are scarce, but like the others, it is Indigenous-led. $424,000 by way of the federal Northern REACHE program has been allotted to support it as well as the installation of 80 kW of solar to Nunatsiavut Community Centres in Nain, Rigolet, Postville, and Hopedale.

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The stated goal of Northern REACHE is to assist northern and Indigenous communities in transitioning to “renewable, sustainable, and affordable” energy sources.

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Nain — Courtesy of the Nunatsiavut Government – Submitted Photo by Contributed /Contributed

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The federal government acknowledged the Inuit peoples knowledge of the land and sea and tradition of innovation as factors in its current relationship.

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Natan Obed, President of advocacy group Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said he’s “pleased to join the Nunatsiavut Government and the Government of Canada to announce Inuit-led initiatives that focus on protecting and advancing environmental infrastructure.”

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Room for expansion

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Government hopes to replicate the project across Northern Canada, and the Rigolet Tidal Project in other communities. There’s even potential to expand it further, according to Alty.

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“(Regarding) the Nain Wind Energy Project, being able to have the wind plus the battery can make it that reliable energy source,” she explained.

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“And there’s still communities in southern Canada that aren’t 100 percent clean and green. So this might be a good model for them.”

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The news comes in the wake of the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydroelectric Project announcement on Nov. 13, which is expected to reduce community diesel consumption by 100%, or 15 million litres.

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“We know that Northern communities are frequently, dominantly diesel, so being able to transition away from diesel or reduce diesel is what we’re looking to create across Canada,” said Alty.

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Sean Ridgeley is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter.

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