Environmental Benefits

The community has identified some environmental concerns, some of which are directly related to the high use of diesel fuel in the Fort Chipewyan area. These concerns include:

• Pollution related to diesel tanker trucks and local electricity production
• Shortened winter road season
• Wasted energy
• Wear and tear on the winter road

The completion of the solar farm (both phase I and II) brings many environmental benefits and helps address some community concerns, including:

• A reduction of an estimated 800,000 litres of diesel each year
• A reduction of 25 large tanker trucks on the winter road each year
• Less pressure on the winter road
• Lower potential for accidents on the winter road
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, amounting to approximately 2,170 tonnes of CO2e per year
• Prevention of an expansion to the existing Third Lake generating station
• Improved air quality, reduced noise and less environmental risk