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Understanding the Electricity Situation

ABLFN Energy Crisis

  • The diesel generating plant is 63 years old, and needs to be replaced immediately.  

  • The diesel generators are constantly breaking down especially on the coldest days of the year.   This is a Health and Safety risk to the community.

  • The old generators are also operating at capacity and cannot support our current infrastructure which means that NO new community buildings or housing can be added. 

Options are:

  • A Transmission Line to connect ABLFN to the main grid.

    • Discussed as an alternative for more than three decades by ISC and Hydro Quebec.

    • No study or design yet.

    • Anyone can connect to the Transmission Line, so it will spur development across ABLFN traditional lands. Past grievances with Quebec Hydro have not been addressed yet either.

  • Our own microgrid power system, powered by renewable energy

    • A feasibility study to review this option was completed May 4, 2020.

    • Significant work has been done and construction could start in six months

The Energy Solution

  • The proposed project includes a 2.26 MW Organic Rankin Cycle power plant comprised of a biomass fueled boiler, a turbine and a generator to create electricity.

  • A feasibility study concluded that a biomass power generation station, operated as a standalone microgrid, is a viable solution for ABLFN which is:

    • Technically viable to provide dependable, cheaper power for the community.

    • Financially viable, more cost effective than diesel, much faster to build, and cheaper than the transmission line.

    • No one else could connect to new generation plant without ABLFN approval

  • Owned 100% and operated by ABLFN –creates own source revenues.

  • Creates ten full-time jobs for community members. 

  • Feasibility Study was approved by Chief and Council with a Band Council Resolution

  • Phase 2 of the Project Development Cycle was launched in July 2020.

  • Phase 2 is near completion –detailed business case will be presented to the community for final approval.

Proposed Power Plant

  • Capacity is 2.26MW -double what is there now

  • Will meet current and future community expansion (20 yrs)

    • New school

    • Over 50 new houses

    • Community Centre

    • Nursing Station expansion

    • Truck garage / Fire Station

    • Water treatment plant expansion

    • Service Station and Community Store on highway

    • Greenhouses for food security

  • Fuel -wood waste biomass (wood chips) brought in from outside the traditional lands of ABLFN.

  • Located one kilometer southwest of the Community, off the main access road, beside the current landfill site.

  • Heat -potential district heating in the community.

  • Greenhouse gas emissions – Diesel consumption will be reduced by 89%.

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