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.
![Installing solar in Kuujjuaq, Quebec](/sites/default/files/styles/1000/public/node_images/renewables-in-remote-communities_2.png?itok=ievM2Jz0)
Remote energy costs remain high, even with subsidies
Key Numbers
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
![Solar panels in Kotzebue](/sites/default/files/styles/sm_md/public/node_images/remote-clean-energy-and-the-federal-budget.png?itok=LMQwS42O)
Remote clean energy and the federal budget
Exploring the role of federal budgets in advancing remote clean energy and what we’re looking for in Budget 2024![Portrait of Emily He](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/emily-24.jpg?itok=Lep6MNrI)
![Portrait of Fibha Nazim](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/fibha-244.jpg?itok=EFFU4rKp)
![Lynne Couves](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/lynne-24.jpg?itok=Snwy3hiX)
![Solar panels installed in Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories](/sites/default/files/styles/sm_md/public/node_images/funding-the-territories-in-energy-transition.png?itok=fKXcsbXG)
Funding the Territories in energy transition
Federal funding must fit the needs of Canada's North![Portrait of Emily He](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/emily-24.jpg?itok=Lep6MNrI)
![solar panels on the roof of a building in a remote community](/sites/default/files/styles/sm_md/public/node_images/long-term-resource-planning-in-remote-communities.png?itok=pS8uFD9E)
Long-term resource planning in remote communities
Understanding the critical relationship between utilities' strategic planning and the clean energy transition in remote communities![Arthur Bledsoe](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/arthur-24.jpg?itok=oMYqXS-F)
![Bhan Gatkuoth](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/Bhan-24.jpg?itok=lyFyHbRM)
![Innergex Renewable Energy's Ashlu Creek run-of-river hydroelectric power plant, northwest of Squamish, B.C. April 20, 2016.](/sites/default/files/styles/sm_md/public/node_images/empowering-indigenous-leadership--a-look-at-british-columbia-s-evolving-clean-energy-landscape.png?itok=EMlFqoBj)
Empowering Indigenous leadership: A look at British Columbia's evolving clean energy landscape
Our reflections on a year of remote clean energy development in B.C., advancements in First Nations energy leadership, and what we're keeping an eye on in 2024![Arthur Bledsoe](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/arthur-24.jpg?itok=oMYqXS-F)
![Bhan Gatkuoth](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-05/Bhan-24.jpg?itok=lyFyHbRM)
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.
![Kyuquot BC harbour](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-05/RiRC%20Kyuquot%20BC.jpg?itok=ThM65VKe)
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
![Gjoa Haven solar installers](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-05/RiRC%20Gjoa%20Haven%20installers.jpg?itok=2ye__TN2)
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.
![Sachs Harbour solar sunset](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-05/RiRC%20sachs%20Harbour%20solar%20sunset.jpg?itok=ajD3bLmu)
![Solar panels](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-04/solar%20dodge.jpg?itok=JrOgFy3u)
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.
![Lynne Couves](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2024-05/Lynne-Couves-p-quote.png?itok=mFaT1mm6)
Our Remote Communities Experts
Contact our Renewables in Remote Communities team
![Renewables in Remote Communities team, circa 2024](/sites/default/files/styles/1000/public/2024-05/53758803510_12e0e34687_k.jpg?itok=CL1ojRzE)
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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Support clean energy for all.
Help remote communities across Canada realize their net-zero vision.