Nodin Kitagan Limited Partnership and Nodin Kitagan 2 Limited Partnership (together “Nodin Kitagan”) today announced that the Ontario Ministry of the Environment has granted a Renewable Energy Approval (“REA”) for the 58.32 megawatt Bow Lake Wind Project (“Bow Lake”). Nodin Kitagan is a partnership between Batchewana First Nation (“BFN”) and BluEarth Renewables Inc. (“BluEarth”) and represents one of the largest economic partnerships between a First Nation and a wind energy developer in Canada.
Bow Lake is being developed in the district of Algoma, approximately 80 km north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario within the traditional territory of BFN.
“The Renewable Energy Approval is the culmination of over six years of public engagement and rigorous environmental and technical studies. We are very pleased to be moving forward towards the construction of the Bow Lake Wind Project,” said Kent Brown, President & CEO of BluEarth.
“The Bow Lake Wind Project is perfectly aligned with our original expectations at Treaty time; those expectations were to benefit from our resources in sustainable ways. The BFN will continue to affirm, and benefit from the Letter of Assertions, which outlines our First Nations’ expected relationship with resource developers. This assertion was the foundation for our relationship with our partner, BluEarth Renewables, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome,” said Batchewana First Nation Chief Dean Sayers.
Once constructed, Bow Lake will generate enough renewable electricity for approximately 15,000 homes. Nodin Kitagan estimates that Bow Lake will employ approximately 80 people to construct the facility and once constructed, up to seven people will be required to operate the facility. Beyond job creation during construction, operations and decommissioning, the project will also generate considerable investment in the local economy through procurement of supplies and services.
“This is an example of how Ontario’s commitment to moving the province toward a clean energy future can result in First Nations and the private sector working collaboratively with mutual respect to create new, sustainable and high-quality jobs in Ontario,” Brown went on to say.
About Nodin Kitagan Limited Partnerships
In 2012, Batchewana First Nation and BluEarth formed partnerships to develop of the Bow Lake Wind Project through establishment of Nodin Kitagan Limited Partnership and Nodin Kitagan 2 Limited Partnership. The Bow Lake Wind Project will be developed by the partnerships by their respective general partners Shongwish Nodin Kitagan GP Corp. and Shongwish Nodin Kitagan 2 GP Corp. This relationship currently represents one of the largest economic partnerships between a First Nation and a wind energy developer in Canada.
About Batchewana First Nation
A self-supporting, self-reliant, sovereign First Nation where individuals share a strong cultural identity based on a deep understanding of who we are on a clear sense of continuity with our cultural roots.
Where the Reserve communities have truly come together and whose members have a strong sense of self-esteem, respect for each other and who work together for the betterment of all.
Headquartered in Calgary, Canada, BluEarth is a private independent renewable power producer, focused on the acquisition, development, construction and operation of wind, water, and solar projects in North America, with a primary focus in Canada. With the most experienced renewable energy development team in Canada, BluEarth’s mission is to be the Canadian renewable energy leader by developing, building, and operating a portfolio that optimizes people, planet, and profit. BluEarth believes it has the power to change the future by demonstrating how to be sustainable and profitable, leaving the world a better place.