July 29, 2024 – Over $19 million in federal funding is on its way to Nunavut for three renewable energy projects in Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, and Naujaat.

“Sakku is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to deliver renewable energy infrastructure projects for the Kivalliq region,” said David Kakuktinniq, president & CEO, Sakku Investments Corp. “Investing in a clean energy future for Nunavut is critical as our region grows and we shift away from burning fossil fuels […]”

In the case of Naujaat, $18.45 million from Ottawa will support the construction of a solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage facility that will supply 30% of the community’s electricity demand. (Naujaat currently relies entirely on diesel to meet its electricity needs.)

The $18.45 million includes:

• $6.5 million through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program.
• $5.9 million through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Low-Carbon Economy Fund.
• $1,050,000 under Natural Resources Canada’s Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative.
• $5 million through the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund, delivered by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) and administered by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

Construction in Naujaat is set to start this summer.

Funding is also being provided for early-stage work on three solar installations on buildings owned by Sakku Properties Ltd., a subsidiary of Sakku Investments, in Rankin Inlet.

The $220,000 in funding is made available through CIRNAC’s Northern REACHE Program.

The systems will result in 300 kW of installed generation capacity, which is expected to reduce diesel dependance by over 56,000 litres. The systems are expected to be online by 2025.

Additionally, $1,313,282 in funding is being provided by NRCan for the Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet Wind Energy Development Projects to, again, reduce the communities’ reliance on diesel.

“As the Regional Inuit Association promoting the interests and rights of the Inuit of the Kivalliq, we are pleased to support Sakku Investments in advancing these important energy projects,” said Kono Tattuinee, president, Kivalliq Inuit Association. “I’d like to thank the Government of Canada for partnering with us to ensure energy infrastructure in Nunavut is a priority.”