By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner
February 1, 2024
NB Power has forged a deal with eight Mi’kmaq First Nations to add more carbon-free wind energy to the provincial grid.
After soliciting bids in 2023 for renewable power, New Brunswick’s public utility has selected the $89-million Neweg energy project.
It hailed the deal as a meaningful partnership with Indigenous communities, who in the past were left out of major energy decisions on their traditional territory.
Neweg, which in the Mi’kmaq language roughly translates to “breezy,” will feature six turbines with a combined annual energy production of nearly 100 gigawatt hours, enough to power about 8,000 homes.
“For the Mi’kmaq, as stewards of our land, sustainable energy is a means of protecting the environment for the next seven generations,” said Rebecca Knockwood, the long-serving chief of Amlamgog (Fort Folly First Nation). “Historically, the Mi’kmaq have not been involved in any major resource energy projects within our territory in this province. This project is a welcome change and signals a new path forward.”
The project will be New Brunswick’s first large-scale renewable energy project since the First Nations-led Wisokolamson and Wocawson energy projects were commissioned in 2019. It is slated to be built near the Wocawson wind project, about 20 kilometres east of Sussex.
Although the energy won’t be used to supply Indigenous communities – most of them are hundreds of kilometres away – the project will help the First Nations make some money, while fitting into their values of environmental stewardship. More wind energy is supposed to help reduce New Brunswick’s dependence on fossil-fuel burning plants that contribute to climate change and dangerous global warming.
The First Nations -Amlamgog, Natoaganeg (Eel Ground), Oinpegitjoig (Pabineau), Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church), Tjipõgtõtjg (Bouctouche), L’nui Menikuk (Indian Island), Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar) and Metepenagiag (Red Bank) – have formed a partnership with the private Nova Scotia company Natural Forces, which will build the facility.
Through their economic development company, the Mi’gmaq United Investment Network, the Indigenous communities will be a majority owner of the turbines. It has signed a 30-year power purchase agreement with NB Power.
“The Mi’gmaq United Investment Network’s share of the profits will go into the partnership where they can be re-invested in other opportunities or split among the communities involved,” explained Jennifer Coleman, a spokeswoman for the First Nations.
New Brunswick’s biggest First Nation is not part of the deal. Elsipogtog (Big Cove First Nation) often works on its own. For instance, it has its own separate land title claim apart from the other eight Mi’kmaq nations, even though it shares the traditional Mi’kmaq territory.
“Every Mi’kmaq community had and still has an opportunity to become part of the project,” Coleman told Brunswick News. “Elsipogtog can still join onto the project if they decide to.”
She explained that the economic development company is relatively new and had been created by the eight communities to seek out business opportunities. It already has an investment in Plaex Building Systems in Dieppe, which uses sustainable building materials and interlocking systems for construction projects.
“We have memorandums of understanding in place with a number of other prospective partners,” she said. “We are willing to meet with potential partners on new and exciting developments.”
It remains an open question whether the deal is good for ratepayers.
NB Power said the announcement was part of its overall strategy of creating more renewable energy, driven by wind, solar and batteries. It predicted the deal would save ratepayers $13 million over the 30-year period, without explaining how.
A spokesperson for NB Power did not answer follow-up questions on how the project would save people money.
“The partnership with the Mi’kmaq communities in the Neweg energy project is not only a step towards sustainable energy but also a demonstration of the importance of First Nations participation in shaping our collective future,” said Lori Clark, the CEO of NB Power, in a prepared statement.
Natural Forces has already built several projects, including the Burchill Wind Project in Saint John, the Oinpegitjoig Wind in Richibucto, and a series of eight small wind projects across Nova Scotia, among others. It takes a part ownership stake in the projects, with other big players providing most of the capital.
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Natural Forces hopes to have the Neweg project running by December 2025.