The Chief of Gull Bay First Nation is thrilled his community is using less diesel power, thanks in part to its own solar power grid.
Wilfrid King tells us they’re also looking into geo-thermal and micro-hydro, for the community located about 200kms north of Thunder Bay.
“Micro-hydro is diverting water from existing water source, like a river, and then creating electricity, in a small turbine, that has zero impact on the water source. And geo-thermal is using either water or going underground to create electricity.”
The Gull Bay chief adds the micro grid, the first of its kind in Canada in conjunction with Ontario Power Generation, was made since the community will never connect with the provincial electricity system.
He’s also hopeful to see more groups across Canada benefit.
“There’s over 300 communities in Canada that are in a similar situation that we’re in. And, we would like to share our experiences, share our resources, share our expertise with any community that wants to do the same thing. We would hope we could replicate this elsewhere in Canada, and even throughout the world.”
The First Nation community of about 400 people worked with Ontario Power Generation, the federal and provincial governments, and other investors to build the grid.
Paul Giardetti is the regional Vice President for OPG, and tells us Gull Bay is changing where it gets it’s power from.
“This remote community services itself with diesel generation. And, it’s not connected to the grid we all enjoy in Thunder Bay.”
