Chesterfield Inlet Community Energy Plan Now Available
- Kivalliq Alternative Energy
- May 29
- 3 min read
Kivalliq Alternative Energy
May 30, 2025
Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE) is pleased to announce that the Chesterfield Inlet Community Energy Plan (CEP) is now complete and available to the public. This plan outlines a clear pathway for a clean energy transition that reflects the values, knowledge, and priorities of the residents of Chesterfield Inlet.
Read the Chesterfield Inlet Community Energy Plan [English]:
What is a Community Energy Plan?
A Community Energy Plan (CEP) serves as a roadmap for a community's energy future, guiding decisions related to energy use, infrastructure, and resource management. This CEP offers short- and long-term strategies to help Chesterfield Inlet reduce diesel dependency, promote energy efficiency, and transition toward clean energy alternatives, such as solar and wind power. The plan addresses the critical need
for energy security, reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and economic development consistent with the community's traditional knowledge and values.
Key Objectives of the CEP
Assess the community’s current energy sources, usage patterns, associated costs, and GHGs.
Engage the community to understand current energy challenges and priorities.
Promote energy efficiency by identifying strategic upgrades to homes and infrastructure.
Explore clean energy alternatives, such as solar and wind power, to supplement or replace diesel.
Support capacity building with sustainable energy training and knowledge sharing.
Chesterfield Inlet CEP Overview
Current Energy Context
Chesterfield Inlet, like many remote northern communities, is heavily dependent on diesel fuel for
electricity, heating, and transportation. This dependency results in high energy costs, exposure to
fuel price fluctuations, and significant GHG emissions.
What We Heard from the Community
A community-wide survey provided residents with the opportunity to share their current energy concerns and priorities for the future. Respondents identified the following top three energy issues (in order):
High cost of electricity and fuel
Power outages and reliability
Environmental impact of current systems
When asked about future energy options, respondents expressed support for these sources (in order):
93% of respondents said they’d be proud if Chesterfield Inlet were to pursue clean energy solutions.
CEP Recommendations
The CEP outlines a series of realistic, cost-effective actions that Chesterfield Inlet can take to reduce diesel use, improve energy reliability, and create job opportunities in the future. These include:
Energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, LED lighting, thermostats)
A 1 MW wind energy project, which offers year-round clean energy.
A 2.38 MW ground-mounted solar PV system to significantly reduce diesel use in summer.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) to keep the local grid stable during variable wind and solar generation, and electrical thermal storage (ETS) to shift energy demand to non-peak times.
Next Steps
To bring this vision to life, the CEP recommends the following near-term steps:
Develop implementation plans for the proposed wind, solar, and BESS projects
Conduct a Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) study with QEC
Support local training and employment opportunities related to the energy transition
Secure funding for wind, solar, and battery projects and foster partnerships with QEC and the GN
If implemented, these efforts can reduce household energy costs, improve indoor air quality and building performance, and strengthen energy sovereignty in Chesterfield Inlet.
Read the Chesterfield Inlet Community Energy Plan [English]:
Read the Chesterfield Inlet CEP Appendices (Survey Results + HOMER Study) [English]:
Acknowledgements
The CEP was made possible through the contributions of various parties, including Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE), Green Cat Renewables, the Saskatchewan Research Council, and the Hamlet of Chesterfield Inlet. Other contributors include Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC), Northern Energy Capital (NEC), University of Victoria (UVic), Altiro Energy, EWT, Northern Power Systems (NPS), and Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC).
This CEP was funded through the support of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), the Northern (REACHE) Program, and Cando's Indigenous Green Economy Initiative.
About Kivalliq Alternative Energy
An Inuit-led partnership between Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC) and Northern Energy Capital (NEC), KAE is a leader in the clean energy transition in Nunavut's Kivalliq region. KAE develops renewable energy-generating projects that increase energy independence and security, nurture economic opportunities, and build capacity for the remote communities it represents.
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