For decades, remote communities across Canada – the majority of which are home to Indigenous Peoples — have been locked into a system of diesel dependency. With the combination of good policy and committed partnership, we can address this challenge in support of community ambitions for energy sovereignty and climate action.
Renewables in Remote Communities
Supporting communities in their transition to sustainable, healthy, and affordable energy solutions.
Remote energy costs remain high, even with subsidies
On average, remote communities pay six to ten times more for electricity and heat than other consumers. Without subsidies, energy costs in these communities would be 10-30 times more expensive. (See Diesel Subsidies — Simplified, Part I (2021))
Key Numbers
250+
remote communities in Canada, the majority being Indigenous.
$300-400 million
annual diesel subsidies spent to bring down the high cost of electricity in remote communities.
79%
of electricity generation in remote communities was from diesel fuel in 2020.
Long-term resource planning in remote communities
Long-term resource planning is a critical component of utility operations. Discover the critical relationship between utilities' strategic planning and the clean energy transition in remote communities.
Learn more.Research & Analysis
Why increase renewable energy in remote communities?
Renewable energy provides a pathway to energy justice.
Across Canada, remote communities rely on diesel fuel to heat and power their homes. This reliance creates local health, environmental, and economic inequities for these communities.
The transition to renewable and clean energy disrupts this reliant relationship and provides a strong pathway for healthier communities, strengthens local decision-making, and advances federal, provincial, and territorial commitments toward climate action and reconciliation.
We support communities with their clean energy transition
The transition to clean energy will bring a wide range of benefits to remote communities. However, the work to get there is not easy.
We support remote and Indigenous energy leaders and communities as they embark on a clean energy transformation, by:
- Developing tools and resources;
- Holding workshops and webinars;
- Helping build technical and policy capacity in communities
Our policy analysis, research and resources highlight opportunity
For over two decades, our Renewables in Remote Communities program has carried out extensive research on diesel reduction, clean energy financing, Indigenous rights, and more. Through this work, we highlight how the clean energy transition is full of opportunities, particularly when it comes to advancing energy sovereignty in remote communities.
Secure fair prices for Indigenous-led renewable energy projects
Indigenous-led renewable energy projects bring environmental, economic, and social benefits to communities. Despite this, project funding and revenue streams do not fully reflect the associated value of renewable energy projects. Our research seeks to address these funding and policy gaps and advocates for fair and equitable energy prices.
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Everyone deserves to breathe clean air and to light and heat our homes reliably and affordably—regardless of where we live. By combining committed partnerships with clean energy we can collaboratively make these essentials the baseline, not the bonus.
Meet Lynne Couves
Program Director, Renewables in Remote Communities
Our Remote Communities Experts
Contact our Renewables in Remote Communities team
Program Director
Lynne Couves
c: 403-483-3850
e: lynnec@pembina.org
Media Contact
Bhan Gatkuoth (Mountain Time)
c: 587-742-0818
e: bhang@pembina.org
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