Ontario Construction News staff writer
Natural Resources Canada will provide $50-million to the Bekevar Wind Power Project, a partnership with the Cowessess First Nation and Innagreen Investments.
Located south of Kipling, Saskatchewan, the project includes turbines located on Cowessess First Nation Land and will supply over 200 megawatts (MW) of zero-emissions power, reducing GHG emissions by approximately 130,000 tonnes per year.
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.
“This $50-million federal contribution is helping to power low-carbon solutions in the region while supporting Indigenous ownership in renewable energy generation. I would like to congratulate the Cowessess First Nation, a leader in clean energy, and Bekevar Wind Limited Partnership, as well as all of those involved in enabling this important initiative,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of natural resources.
Funding builds upon a previous investment by the federal government of over $18.5 million for the Awasis Solar Project, a 10-megawatt solar facility also owned, operated by and constructed on the land of the Cowessess First Nation. The solar project is currently providing clean power to the provincial power grid and delivering economic benefits to the Cowessess First Nation for years to come.
“Through the support of NRCan, Cowessess holds a 17-percent ownership position in the project; 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,” said Erica Beaudin, Chief, Cowessess First Nation.
