All electricity in Nunavut is produced through the burning of fossil fuels such as diesel. While diesel generator sets are well established and reliable technologies, burning diesel have negative impacts on the environment. Air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and fuel spills are concerning implications of diesel consumption.
Renewable energy generation systems offer an environmentally friendly approach to producing electricity in Nunavut. Renewable energy, also known as clean energy, is derived by naturally occurring and self-replenishing processes such as hydro, tidal, solar and wind resources. These renewable sources of power generation reduce the amount of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions we deposit into our environment, and eliminate the need to import fossil fuel. However some renewable energy technologies are expensive, not yet fully commercialized, and have limited sustainability in the north.
Recognizing this reality, QEC continues to seek renewable energy opportunities within Nunavut to mitigate the negative impacts of burning fossil fuels. We are currently working on solar and wind demonstration projects to test the potential of these renewable energy systems in our unique environment.
QEC recently developed an Energy Framework discussion paper based on the cost of generating electricity in Nunavut. The purpose of the discussion paper is to provide a foundation for further dialogue with communities, organizations, and other stakeholders, about the cost of buying diesel fuel to generate electricity and the corporation’s financial considerations when evaluating renewable energy alternatives. To read more on QEC’s Energy Framework, please click here.
For information on our solar projects, please click here.
For information on our wind projects, please click here.