Following Nunavut’s division from the Northwest Territories, the Nunavut Power Corporation took up the mandate to supply electricity to communities in the territory of Nunavut on April 1, 2001. Renamed Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC) in 2003, this territorial corporation is 100 per cent owned by the Government of Nunavut, and operates at arm’s length from the government, reporting to the territorial Minister responsible for QEC.
We are the only generator and distributor of electrical energy in Nunavut.
QEC is incorporated and operates under the Qulliq Energy Corporation Act and our energy pricing is regulated pursuant to the Utility Rates Review Council Act. We are committed to supplying safe, reliable and efficient energy through responsive and respectful interaction with all stakeholders.
We deliver electricity to approximately 15,000 electrical customers across Nunavut. We generate and distribute power to Nunavummiut through the operation of 25 stand-alone diesel power plants in 25 communities, with a total installed capacity of approximately 76,000 kW. At QEC, we also provide mechanical, electrical and line maintenance from three regional centers: Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay. Our business activities are maintained at the head office located in Baker Lake and corporate offices in Iqaluit. QEC has 200 employees across the territory.
All electricity needs in Nunavut are met by imported fossil fuel supplies. Each community in Nunavut has its own independent electricity generation and distribution system. There is no back-up grid. QEC is the only energy corporation in Canada without developed local energy resources or regional electricity transmission capability, creating a situation of high dependency on fossil fuel.