Tribe in Canada Will Use Wind Energy to Power 30,000 Homes

The First Nation community of Beardy’s and Okemasis has agreed with the alternative energy company SkyPower to develop a large wind park. It will be known as the Willow Cree Wind Project. According to the primary source for this article, construction of the park might begin as soon as 2010. The turbines will be built on approximately 12,000 acres of land located near Big Quill, a community near the town of Wynyard, Saskatchewan. The planned wind park will produce 100 megawatts of energy, enough to power 30,000 homes per year.

Chief Rick Gamble elaborated upon the other benefits that the Willow Cree Wind Project will provide. He is quoted as saying,

We chose to partner with SkyPower because of their extensive experience in wind development with First Nations. Moreover, the Willow Cree Wind Project will generate a reliable source of local benefits, including job training programs, employment for the local community, as well as have a positive impact on local tourism. The proposed development will be an important driver of local economic development for years to come.

The tribe’s partner SkyPower is the largest alternative energy company in Canada. One of its more notable projects is in Ontario. SkyPower commenced construction earlier this year on what it claims will be the largest solar park in North America. If all goes as planned, it will be finished late next year.

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In addition to the wind project with SkyPower, the Beardy’s and Okemasis community also entered several weeks ago into an $800 million oil deal with Taiwan, along with four other First Nation tribes. The tribes are currently in the process of securing land in northern Saskatchewan via treaty entitlements. If they succeed in obtaining the land rights, then the exploration for oil will follow given Taiwan’s investment.

Both the wind power project and the oil deal are aimed at helping the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation community to have greater economic power and energy independence. They are setting a good example for other countries and communities, by backing up their desire with action.

Read More About Alternative Energy in Canada on the Green Options Network:

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Photo Credit: Yuki Yaginuma on Flickr under a Creative Commons license

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