July 17, 2023 – The Government of Canada is contributing $50 million to the 200-MW Bekevar Wind Power Project, which is being delivered in partnership with the Cowessess First Nation and Innagreen Investments.*

This builds on a $173-million federal spend through from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, reports Natural Resources Canada.

Located south of Kipling, Sask., the project location includes turbines located on Cowessess First Nation land. The Bekevar project will consist of 36 turbines; an underground medium-voltage electrical collector system; access roads; a substation; two permanent meteorological towers; an operations and maintenance building; and a 10-km long transmission line to connect the project to the provincial grid.

“Through the support of NRCan, Cowessess holds a 17% ownership position in the project,” said Erica Beaudin, Chief, Cowessess FN. “There are two turbines located on Cowessess land, we have a contracting company working on the project, and our community members are being sought for employment opportunities. The project offers significant economic benefits to Cowessess First Nation.”

Federal funding comes from the $1.56-billion Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREP) program, which supports “smart renewable energy and electrical grid modernization projects”.

* The Bekevar project was originally a partnership between Renewable Energy Systems Ltd. and Cowessess FN. Earlier this year, RES sold Bekevar to Innagreen Canada Holdings C Ltd. and Innagreen Canada Holdings D Ltd. Awasis Nehiyawewini Energy Development LP (a Cowessess FN-owned entity) will continue to be a key partner in the project going forward.