Event Recap: Rankin Inlet Town Hall (October 28, 2024)
- Kivalliq Alternative Energy
- Dec 20, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 23, 2024
Kivalliq Alternative Energy
December 20, 2024
Event Overview
Who: Kivalliq Alternative Energy
What: Town Hall #2 – Rankin Inlet Wind Energy Project
When: October 28, 2024
Location: Leo Ussak Elementary School, Rankin Inlet
Target Audience: Rankin Inlet community members
Attendance: Approx. 25 people
Hosts:
Blaine Chislett, Energy & Sustainability Manager, Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC)
Dana May, Project Development Manager, Northern Energy Capital (NEC)
Ruben den Uyl, Renewable Energy Analyst, NEC
Summary of Town Hall Presentation
Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE), an Inuit led partnership between Sakku Investments and Northern Energy Capital, is exploring the benefits of a wind and energy storage project in Rankin Inlet.
The Project aims to generate locally-produced clean energy, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and increase energy sovereignty, security and economic development in the Kivalliq Region.
Wind energy offers many benefits—but trade-offs such as land disturbance during construction, noise, and potential interactions with wildlife must first be fully understood.
Project infrastructure includes 2-5 wind turbines with 46m-81m turbine height, a battery storage system, a new road and an electrical line to connect the Project to Rankin Inlet's grid.
Project capacity is 2-10 MW of wind energy with 2-4 MWh of battery storage. It is estimated to produce 10,000 MWh of renewable energy per year, meeting 40% of Rankin Inlet's total electricity demand (500 homes) and displacing 2,700,000 L of diesel per year.
Four sites are currently being studied, in different directions from the community. Site selection criteria consider wind speed, distance to objects, environmental impact, and wildlife concerns.
Community engagement is a key aspect, with ongoing opportunities for feedback and collaboration.
Project timeline includes community engagement, wildlife monitoring, final site selection, design and engineering, with target construction start planned for 2026.
Recap of KAE's previous town hall in July (click to view)
Project Updates (as of October 2024):
Community engagement activities nearing completion
Wildlife monitoring program expected to conclude in November, with results to follow
Connection Impact Assessment underway with QEC
Energy 101 course planning underway, with community co-developer identified for Rankin Inlet
KAE identified three key topics to address based on questions from the previous town hall in July:
Click the arrows to view details
1) Impact of renewable energy on electricity rates
2) Wind turbine safety in Arctic conditions
3) Project Location and Wildlife Considerations
KAE is looking at four potential sites for the wind project in different directions from the community. Work to date includes constraints mapping, group consultation sessions with Rankin Inlet's Hamlet Council, HTO, community members, and Elders (this trip), and a wildlife study (in progress).
What we learned so far
Wind speeds are suitable at all 4 locations, and caribou migrate through/near Rankin Inlet in July.
Location 1 (preferred site) is near a caribou route but on an elevated ridge, thus minimizing interaction with migration.
Location 2 and 4 may be in caribou path.
Location 3 is away from caribou but on an island, which greatly increases project budget and could be cost prohibitive.
Next Steps
Analyze wildlife study results
Process community engagement feedback
Final project location selection
Archeological site assessment
Permitting process
NIRB application
Once approved, construction will start
Wildlife Study Results
The study is expected to conclude in November. The outcomes will be shared with Rankin Inlet's Hamlet Council, and a summary will be available on KAE's website. The public will be able to comment on the study and final outcomes.
Download Rankin Inlet Town Hall Presentation (PDF):
New Engagement Activities
KAE is committed to continually improving our community outreach tactics. Based on feedback received during the previous town hall in July, KAE added the following activities to our October trip:
Radio Show: KAE held a live radio show on Rankin Inlet's local station about the proposed wind project. This show was live-translated in Inuktitut.
Whisper Kits: KAE used personal audio devices (a.k.a. whisper kits) during the town hall to improve the translation experience for Inuktitut-speaking attendees. These devices allow the interpreter to translate live without pausing the presentation. The whisper kits were provided by KIA.
Elders Meeting: KAE collaborated with Pulaarvik Kablu to organize a luncheon for 13 Rankin Inlet Elders to present the proposed wind project, answer questions, and engage in knowledge-sharing discussions. Elders received an honorarium for their time.
Kivalliq Alternative Energy team members host a radio show, town hall, and elder's luncheon in Rankin Inlet to answer questions and gather feedback on the proposed wind energy project, October 28-29 2024. PHOTO: Ruben den Uyl
Questions from the Community
Click the arrows to view KAE's responses
Q1: What kinds of job opportunities and skills training will be available for the community?
Response: KAE anticipates job opportunities for the community, in both the construction and operation phase of the project. It is one of KAE’s core objectives to generate local jobs. We strive to not only supply the jobs, but also the required training to execute the job, so (the lack of) previous education doesn’t become a barrier for accessing these jobs.
Depending on the project progress, these job opportunities will be available to the community. KAE intends to hold a job fair in the community at that time. Our current estimation is that this would occur in the second half of 2025, with Spring 2026 being the start of the first jobs.
KAE is also developing an introductory Energy 101 course with the aim to educate everyone that is interested in renewable energy. This course will be co-developed between Yukon University and community representatives, to ensure the course reflects the needs, values, and circumstances of Rankin Inlet's community.
Internships may be possible throughout the project, and we will be looking into this in the future.
Q2: How secure are wind turbines in extreme weather conditions? Is there potential for blade detachment in strong winds? What is the lowest temperature they can operate before freezing?
Response: The wind turbines proposed for Rankin Inlet are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, including extreme cold, arctic storms, and lightning strikes. Here's how:
Extreme cold: The turbines are designed to operate in temperatures as low as -40°C. The blades and other components are made of materials that can withstand these temperatures.
Arctic storms: The turbines are designed to withstand high winds and heavy snow loads. The steel towers are strong enough to withstand even in the strongest winds, and the blades are flexible to help shed snow and ice buildup. Blade heating systems also help with ice removal. If wind speeds become too high, the blades are equipped with automatic shut-off mechanism and will stop spinning to ensure safety.
Lightning strikes: The wind turbines are equipped with lightning protection systems that ensure strikes travel harmlessly through the structure to the ground without damaging components.
In addition to these design features, the wind turbines are also tested in extreme weather conditions before they are installed. This testing ensures that the turbines can withstand the rigours of the Arctic environment.
Q3: What is the relationship between KAE's project in Rankin Inlet and the Hydro Fibre Link?
Response: Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC) has two companies as part of their Energy Pillar. Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE) is focused on advancing renewable energy-generation projects in the Kivalliq region. Nukik Corporation is developing the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link which is focused on high-speed energy transmission across the Kivalliq region, as well as to and from Manitoba.
KAE's proposed wind energy project in Rankin Inlet and Nukik's Kivalliq Hydro Fibre Link are both part of SIC's plan to improve Kivalliq's energy system. While they are separate projects, they are complementary. KAE and Nukik work collaboratively within a shared sphere, with energy generation and transmission working together to be successful in the region. The Hydro Fibre Link will provide opportunities for renewable energy projects to operate on a more economical scale, while local generation projects by KAE will improve energy supply within the Kivalliq region.
Q4: Is there potential for a project with solar panels on roofs of homeowners?
Response: KAE's current focus is the development of a utility-scale wind energy project to benefit the entire community of Rankin Inlet. However, rooftop solar panels offer a valuable contribution to a cleaner energy future, and there are multiple programs available to help you get started:
Homeowners interested in generating their own clean energy could take advantage of QEC's Net-Metering Program to install solar PV panels on their rooftops and receive a credit for any excess energy they feed back into the grid. A typical rooftop might be able to host approximately 5 kW of solar PV panels. For more information, including FAQs and application forms, visit QEC's website: https://www.qec.nu.ca/renewable-energy/net-metering-program
Additionally, cabin owners may be eligible for financial assistance to install solar panels through the Government of Nunavut's Renewable Energy Cabin Grant Program. More information, including contact information and application forms can be found at: https://climatechangenunavut.ca/en/renewable-energy-cabin-grant-program-guide
Feedback from the Community
Town hall attendees seemed to agree with Location 1 as the preferred project site, and no additional concerns were raised when discussing the estimated noise levels or size of the wind turbines. During the Elders' luncheon, participants indicated their support for Location 1.
General remarks from the Elders included concern about the importance of clean energy for the future, and valuing the needs and concerns of the community during the project development process.
Elders remarked on a previous wind project proposal for Rankin Inlet that was rejected by NIRB. KAE is aware of this project from another organization and highlighted that the reason the project was rejected was because of the project's location and resulting impact on caribou, which the community felt was not acceptable. KAE is taking extra care to speak to community members to ensure the location of this project is acceptable to the community.
Rankin Inlet's Elders shared traditional knowledge and stories, highlighting the old energy sources of oil lamps, seal oil stoves, and seal oil itself. They shared a vision for the future that embraced "new" traditional ways and emphasized the significance of harnessing nature's power.
About Kivalliq Alternative Energy
Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE) is a leader in the clean energy transition in Nunavut's Kivalliq region. By developing renewable energy-generating projects, KAE is increasing energy independence for the remote communities it represents. KAE's projects nurture community benefits, grow local capacity and lay the foundations for powering the region's clean energy future. KAE is an Inuit-led partnership between Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC) and Northern Energy Capital (NEC).
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