Enbridge and an indigenous development group in Canada are to develop the 200MW Seven Stars energy project in south-east Saskatchewan.
Six Nations Energy Development is a consortium of Cowessess First Nation, George Gordon First Nation, Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Pasqua First Nation and White Bear First Nations.
The project is expected to come online in 2027.
Six Nations Energy Development will be able to purchase at least a 30% stake in the wind project. A C$100 million (US$73 million) loan guarantee from the provincial government’s Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation will help fund Six Nations’ involvement.
“I credit Enbridge for kicking the door open, for allowing [this partnership] to grow,” said Matthew Peigan, chief of Pasqua First Nation. “I don’t like to call it building bridges, I like calling it fill in the gaps, because bridges crumble.”
Peigan said the project cost will be in the range of “hundreds of millions of dollars”.
Revenue from the project will help fund housing, health care and education, he said.
Enbridge said it hopes to sign a long-term power purchase agreement with SaskPower, the province’s utility.
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