The federal government, the Province of British Columbia, and New Relationship Trust announced a commitment August 30 totalling $9.5 million in renewed funding and support for the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI).
In addition to the renewed support for BCICEI, New Relationship Trust has also announced the latest funding recipients under the initiative.
Through Indigenous Services Canada’s Strategic Partnership Initiative (SPI), the Government of Canada has invested $4.5 million in renewed funding over three years towards the BCICEI. That funding will complement the $5 million in funding that the Province of British Columbia announced in April through CleanBC to help bridge the gap in early stage funding for clean energy ventures.
Launched in 2016, and with $4.2 million in federal funding, the BCICEI is a partnership between Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and New Relationship Trust. The BCICEI Advisory Committee consists of Indigenous clean energy business leaders, multiple federal departments and provincial ministries, BC Hydro, and Clean Energy BC—the industry association representing the clean energy sector.
Through recommendations from its advisory committee, the BCICEI has invested over $3.5 million to fund 31 projects, including 10 in remote, off-grid, or diesel dependent communities. These investments have leveraged $37.2 million—including $11.7 million in Indigenous equity—to finance hydro, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and innovative demand side management projects across British Columbia.
Projects announced August 30 in thirteen First Nations are:
| Organization | Project Description | Location | Funding |
| Ashcroft First Nation | Solar | Ashcroft, BC | $76,950 |
| Doig River First Nation | Solar | Rose Prairie, BC | $150,000 |
| Heiltsuk Nation | Heat Pumps | Bella Bella, BC | $150,000 |
| Hesquiaht First Nation | Multiple | Tofino, BC | $150,000 |
| Huu-ay-aht First Nation | Water | Port Alberni, BC | $500,000 |
| Kwadacha Nation | Biomass | Fort Ware, BC | $38,775 |
| Malahat First Nation | Solar | Mill Bay, BC | $150,000 |
| Saulteau First Nations | Solar | Chetwynd, BC | $150,000 |
| Semiahmoo First Nation | Waste to energy | Surrey, BC | $150,000 |
| Stein Valley Nlakapamux School | Solar | Lytton, BC | $141,680 |
| Tsihlqot'in National Government | Solar | Chilcotin, BC | $250,000 |
| West Moberly First Nation | Wind | Chetwynd, BC | $500,000 |
| Xeni Gwet'in First Nation | Biomass | Nemiah Valley, BC | $99,603 |
| TOTAL FUNDING FOR 2019/20 |
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| $2,507,008
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