LA PLONGE – The federal government has announced it is providing funding to develop a state-of-the-art smart microgrid serving northern communities of La Plonge and Poplar House District.
At an announcement in La Plonge on Friday, Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, confirmed that over $1.9 million in federal support was being provided for the project led by Aurora Renewables.
It is being funded through NRCan’s Energy Innovation Program. The project will "integrate solar power and battery storage to improve energy resilience, support grid stability and increase renewable energy generation in these communities," according to the federal government's news release.
The Feds stated that by implementing advanced Digital Twin technology, this will "optimize grid operations, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help modernize the energy grid in northern Saskatchewan."
"Indigenous-led clean energy projects in rural communities like this one at La Plonge are enhancing the reliability of our local energy grid, lowering energy costs and creating jobs in our region, all while lowering emissions and safeguarding the environment," said Belanger in a statement.
The project is fully owned by English River First Nation through the Des Nedhe Group. Aurora Renewables is itself a First Nation clean energy service provider owned by the Des Nedhe Group and Extropic Energy,
"This project is a powerful example of Indigenous leadership driving clean energy innovation. By combining solar power, battery storage and advanced technologies, the La Plonge and Poplar House District smart microgrids will enhance energy resilience and security for northern communities while supporting local economic growth," said Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, in a statement.
