Kivalliq Alternative Energy
July 18, 2024
Overview
Who: Kivalliq Alternative Energy
What: Town Hall – Rankin Inlet Wind Energy Project
When: July 18, 2024
Location: Community Hall, Rankin Inlet
Target Audience: Rankin Inlet community members
Attendance: Approx. 20 people
Hosts:
Blaine Chislett, Energy & Sustainability Manager, Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC)
Dana May, Project Development Manager, Northern Energy Capital (NEC)
Ruben den Uyl, Renewable Energy Analyst, NEC
Summary of Presentation
Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE), a partnership between Sakku Investments Corporation and Northern Energy Capital, is developing a wind and energy storage project in Rankin Inlet.
The Project aims to generate locally-produced clean energy, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and increase energy sovereignty, security and economic development in the Kivalliq Region.
Wind energy offers benefits like local clean energy generation and reduced reliance on costly imported fossil fuels, but trade-offs such as land disturbance during construction, noise, and potential interactions with wildlife must first be fully understood.
The Project concept includes 2-5 turbines with 46m-81m height, a new road and an electrical line.
The Project is estimated to produce 10,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually, meeting 40% of Rankin Inlet's total demand and displacing 2,700,000 L of diesel per year.
Site selection criteria consider factors like wind speed, distance to objects, environmental impact, and wildlife concerns.
Four sites are being studied at the moment, in different directions from the community.
Community engagement is a key aspect of the Project, with ongoing opportunities for feedback and collaboration.
The Project timeline includes community engagement, wildlife monitoring, site selection, design & engineering, and construction phases.
Download Rankin Inlet Town Hall Presentation (PDF):
Questions from the Community
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Q1: Can the wind turbines survive in extreme weather conditions (i.e. cold, arctic storms and lightning strikes)?
Q2: Will the wind energy project sell the energy directly to the people in the community? What will the impact on my energy bill be?
Q3: Will the energy from the wind turbines put additional stress on the diesel generators?
Q4: Whose land will the turbines be on?
Q5: Who is responsible if there will be nuisance from the wind turbine project?
Q6: Who will be the long-term owner of the project? Will the project be sold once it is completed?
Feedback from the Community
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Attendees indicated that many Elders did not get the announcement of the Town Hall and indicated that KAE should use the radio more for announcements.
Attendees indicated that summer is not the best time for reaching a large share of the community with a Town Hall event, since it overlaps with hunting season and many are out on the land.
Kivalliq Alternative Energy team members host a town hall in Rankin Inlet to answer questions and gather feedback on the proposed wind energy project on July 18. PHOTO: Ruben den Uyl
About Kivalliq Alternative Energy
Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE) is a leader in the clean energy transition in Nunavut's Kivalliq region. By developing renewable energy-generating projects, KAE is increasing energy independence for the remote communities it represents. KAE's projects nurture community benefits, grow local capacity and lay the foundations for powering the region's clean energy future. KAE is an Inuit-led partnership between Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC) and Northern Energy Capital (NEC).
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