Energy Strategies - Northwest Territories

Ministry of Energy

Department of Environment and Natural Resources


Minister

The Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger


Documents


Northwest Territories Overview

Like Nunavut, Northwest Territories relies heavily on refined petroleum to fuel the generators that power its remote communities. As a result, its three primary energy strategy documents, Energy for the Future: An Energy Plan for the Northwest Territories (2007), the Draft NWT Hydro Strategy (2008) and Energy Priorities Framework outline future development of the region’s energy resources and management of its energy use. Efficiency measures tend toward improved standards and incentives for construction and retrofits, such as the Energy Efficiency Financing Assistance Program (which provides grants for energy-saving investments) or the territory’s Energy Conservation Program. According to the strategy, all NWT communities will have completed Community Energy Plans by 2011.

Between the development and use of energy resources, development features more prominently in Energy for the Future. The Draft NWT Hydro Strategy, for example, focuses on facilitating the development of future NWT hydro projects through research, increased public awareness and negotiated funding. At least one mini-hydro project is scheduled to be completed in 2011. In addition to potential hydro development, Energy for the Future calls for a wind turbine in Tuktoyaktuk and, subsequently, at least two other communities. An initial biomass project is targeted for 2011, at which time the strategy calls for a 10 per cent reduction in GHG emissions below 2001 levels.


Objectives

Energy for the Future includes five objectives, and three sub-objectives under policy and planning, that guide the territory’s actions on energy. These objectives, in turn, correspond to common themes found throughout Canada’s other provincial and territorial energy strategies.

  • Develop NWT petroleum and other energy resources, maximize their benefits to northerners and reduce reliance on diesel fuel
  • Provide the tools required for residents, communities and businesses to implement energy conservation and efficiency initiatives aimed at reducing energy costs and environmental impacts
  • Provide information and research on emerging technologies, their potential application in the NWT, and develop Alternative Energy Demonstration Projects;
  • Reduce the Government of the Northwest Territories’ energy requirements
  • Create the policy and planning environment to:
    1. Reduce energy costs and GHG emissions in the NWT
    2. Promote efficient regulatory processes with respect to energy;
    3. Maximize the benefits to northerners of NWT energy resource development

Major Energy Players

Northwest Territories Power Corporation


Timeline

2009
  • A detailed plan [on converting some communities to natural gas] to be completed
  • An operating wind turbine [to be built]
  • Detailed project plans [for residual heating systems] will be developed
  • A comprehensive Biofuels Strategy will be completed
  • A pilot project utilizing geothermal ground-source heat pumps in Fort Smith will be completed in 2009
  • A Draft Review [of the values and principles of the NWT Electricity System] tabled, followed by a Legislative Proposal for change
  • The Review of Revenue [from a potential carbon tax] Initiatives will be completed
  • An initial report on opportunities [in secondary industries and niche manufacturing opportunities] will be developed
  • Decision to proceed with at least one mini-hydro project
  • Investment [in capital asset retrofit fund and energy audits] on GNWT Facilities with a demonstrated environmental and financial return will be made
  • Solar Hot Water Preheating systems will be installed in Fort Smith and Fort Resolution, followed by additional projects in subsequent years;
2010
  • Best practices in housing envelope design will be considered for new public housing design
  • The development of at least one residual heat project
  • Two wood pellet boilers will be installed in Chief Jimmy Bruneau School and at least six public buildings will be outfitted with wood pellet boilers
2011
  • All NWT communities will have Community Energy Plans in place
  • At least three residual heat projects will be operational
  • Operating turbines will be expanded to at least two other communities [other than Tuktoyaktuk]
  • A[n initial] biomass electricity generation project will be initiated
  • Development of a renewed Energy Plan
  • Existing pre-feasibility analysis [of the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project] will be further developed into detailed economic and engineering plans
  • Mini-hydro development project completed
  • 10% reduction in GHG emissions below 2001 levels;
2012
  • The Taltson expansion project will be fully operational