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Energy Peers in Indigenous Communities Network gets a $3MIL boost from Ottawa

January 3, 2023 | By Anthony Capkun


Source: Fraser Basin Council

January 3, 2023 – Ottawa is providing nearly $3 million from the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program for Fraser Basin Council’s Energy Peers in Indigenous Communities (EPIC) Network—a capacity-building program designed to encourage Indigenous leadership in the renewable energy and electrification sectors across British Columbia.

The EPIC Network will support a group of energy champions with a peer-to-peer cohort and peer mentorship approach to building and sharing knowledge, networking and engagement, skills development and training on renewable energy with Indigenous subject matter experts.

The network will also provide capacity-building funds to Indigenous communities to advance their community energy goals related to renewable energy and electrification. Funding is available for eight communities to hire an energy champion and to build knowledge and skills related to small-scale (under 100 kW) renewable energy projects in Indigenous on-grid communities in BC.

The Government of British Columbia, BC Hydro, New Relationship Trust, and Fortis BC also contributed to this project, bringing the total spend to over $3.3 million.

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“There are now many inspirational examples of BC Indigenous communities showing leadership on clean energy on their path to greater energy self-sufficiency,” said Fraser Basin Council’s David Marshall. “This is a new opportunity for on-grid communities to accelerate the shift by bringing in community energy champions who can help build local skills and knowledge on electrification and renewable energy options.”


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