Four renewable energy projects across Nunavut are receiving $17.2 million from the federal government, MP Lori Idlout announced at the Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC) power plant on June 22.
“Nunavut consumes more than 54 million liters of diesel every year for electricity generation alone, and energy demand is growing as we move towards a cleaner grid. Many communities across Nunavut are leading the way to a cleaner future, and our government is proud to support that work together,” Idlout said.
Nearly half of the funding — $8.5 million — will go towards building a clean energy micro-grid for the Aqsarniit hotel in Iqaluit.
Solar energy and air source heat pumps for the hotel will be built by the Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation.
Construction is expected to be finished in August and go into operation this fall, according to Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation chief operating officer Heather Shilton.
Another $4.8 million will allow for the study and design of solar and wind projects in Sanirajak, Kinngait and Qausuittuq National Park on Bathurst Island, west of Grise Fiord.
Aiming to offset 50 per cent of diesel use in those communities, that funding will also go to Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation.
Those feasibility projects are expected to be completed in the next couple of months.
In Rankin Inlet, Nunavut’s first off-grid, self-sufficient solar power and battery project will get tested with $2.5 million allotted to Sakku Investments Corporation.
That project is already 90 per cent complete, with all the solar panels and wiring installed. Completion is expected by Sept. 30, according to Hassan Kassar, vice-president of Sakku Investments Corporation.
In addition, a QEC study on accelerating renewable energy projects in every Nunavut community received $1.3 million.
That study is complete, but the results have not yet been announced, minister responsible for QEC Gwen Healey Akearok said.
“Canada will no longer depend on any one international partner. Instead, we will have a stronger, more independent country. We will do this in meaningful partnership with Indigenous peoples,” Idlout said.
Electricity production in Nunavut has more than doubled over the past two years, according to Statistics Canada.
Nearly all electricity in the territory is produced by diesel generators.
The largest renewable energy project planned in Nunavut — the proposed Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit hydroelectric dam to be located along the Kuugaluk River — is currently in its design and engineering phase, according to Shilton.
A financial readiness phase will follow and be completed by summer 2027.
Permitting at the Nunavut Impact Review Board would begin in the financial readiness phase, and no timeline for construction is currently available.
If Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation receives approvals following that phase, the company will begin asking the public for permission to build the power plant in a free and informed consent phase.
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Jun 22, 2026 at 14:57
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