News Release written by Northern Energy Capital
Published March 30, 2023
Digital rendering of the four new wind turbines on Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw, near Whitehorse, YT.
PHOTO: Northern Energy Capital
Northern Energy Capital (NEC) is proud to celebrate the signing of Eagle Hill Energy LP’s (EHELP) agreement with Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC) for the sale of all renewable electricity generated by EHELP’s 4.0 MW wind energy project currently under construction on Haeckel Hill-Thay T’äw.
This exciting milestone is a significant step forward for northern Canada’s renewable energy sector. It marks the first wind energy project signed as part of the Yukon Government’s Independent Power Production Policy’s Standing Offer Program and the first 100% Indigenous-owned wind energy project in northern Canada.
The Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) signed between EHELP, and YEC will increase the supply of renewable electricity on the Yukon grid once the project is complete. The project’s four new wind turbines will generate enough electricity to power 650 homes annually for over 20 years, offsetting the use of fossil fuels by producing clean energy equivalent to over 40 million litres of diesel fuel over the project’s lifetime.
Moreover, the project uses the industry’s most advanced cold-climate wind turbine technology, expanding the Yukon’s role in cold-climate renewable energy research and innovation. With the help of technological advancements in turbine efficiency and heating, the four new turbines will provide reliable, clean energy during the winter when Yukoners need it most.
“The Haeckel Hill Wind Energy Project represents a unique opportunity to deliver clean energy in a way that maximizes reductions in fossil fuels and associated carbon emissions today and for our future generations,” says Malek Tawashy, Director of Eagle Hill Energy LP.
“This project will continue to expand Yukon’s role in cold-climate renewable energy research and innovation, and with it, we hope to inspire the next generation of renewable energy champions in communities across the Yukon and northern Canada.”
Northern Energy Capital is proud to be developing this project on behalf of EHELP and congratulates them on this significant achievement. Located within the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, this renewable energy project aligns with the First Nation’s values, including responsible stewardship of the land and use of natural resources and the well-being of elders, citizens, and youth of today and future generations.
The Haeckel Hill Wind Energy Project demonstrates the potential for renewable energy to power the future while respecting Indigenous values and traditions. We look forward to seeing the project’s positive impact on the region.
About NEC
Northern Energy Capital is a Yukon-based company, established in 2015, dedicated to empowering northern and remote communities in their transition from fossil fuel consumption to clean energy asset ownership. NEC is the development partner of choice for off-grid and remote communities that seek to achieve energy independence through locally owned and locally produced renewable energy.
NEC designs, develops, and provides turn-key solutions for renewable energy projects engineered for Canada’s remote and northern communities. NEC starts with the aspirations, needs and vision of their community partner and then fulfills the role of development partner in realizing project objectives. NEC has core strengths in community engagement, visioning, securing project capital, managing supply chains, and developing local capacity, that when put together, result in powerful long term environmental, social, and economic returns for the communities we serve.
About EHELP
Eagle Hill Energy LP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s development corporation, Chu Níikwän LP (CNLP). CNLP works to grow the equity and resources of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation by investing in strategic opportunities to generate wealth for the future benefit of all citizens.
The name Eagle Hill Energy is a reference to the traditional Kwanlin Dün place name for the hill known today as Haeckel Hill. As told by Elder Louis Smith, the mountain was traditionally known as Thay T’äw, or “Eagle Nest Mountain,” in Southern Tutchone, named for the giant eagle that made its nest on the summit.