Fisher River Cree Nation, MB: Fisher River Cree Nation announced the launch August 19 of what they say is the largest solar project in Manitoba. The 1-megawatt facility has almost 3,000 solar panels and was built entirely by Indigenous employees. The project’s focus is to generate revenue for the community and inspire other First Nations to pursue renewable energy solutions.
Fisher River Cree Nation unveils Manitoba’s biggest solar farm, a source of Bullfrog Power’s green energy. (CNW Group/Bullfrog Power Inc.)
“This solar project is a source of empowerment and pride for our community,” said Fisher River Cree Nation Chief David Crate. “In addition to generating revenue and training local workers in solar installation, we’re also starting a conversation about large-scale green energy. We want to show both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities that ambitious renewable energy projects are possible without further harming the environment.”
Electricity from the Fisher River solar project is being injected into Manitoba Hydro’s grid, and the project is a source of green electricity for Bullfrog Power, a Spark Power company. RBC will purchase the green electricity that Bullfrog Power sources from the facility.
Fisher River’s solar array also hosts wildflowers to help support the local bee population, as well as an electric vehicle (EV) charging station that Tesla donated. EV charging is available at no cost to the public.
Fisher River Cree Nation expressed its thanks to Western Economic Diversification Canada for their contribution of $1 million towards the project, and its partners W Dusk Energy, Bullfrog Power, Solvest, and the Royal Bank of Canada.
The Fisher River community funded the nearly $2.4 million project with its own money, along with $1 million in support from Western Economic Diversification Canada.