Ariel view of the quA-ymn Solar site outside of Logan Lake, British Columbia. (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank)
Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council (NNTC) and BluEarth Renewables (BluEarth) have achieved financial close on a $35 million loan towards quA-ymn Solar. The project will be located on reclaimed land in the Highland Valley Copper Mine, southwest of Kamloops, B.C.
quA-ymn Solar is a partnership between the member communities of the NNTC and BluEarth, an independent power producer with extensive experience in renewable energy projects across North America. Together, they will construct and operate a 15-megawatt solar facility that will connect into BC Hydro’s energy grid. The partners say the added capacity from 38,000 fixed-tilt solar photovoltaic panels will supply enough renewable energy to power more than 2,000 homes annually, for both Nlaka’pamux communities and the province’s grid.
Securing a loan from CIB was foundational to advancing the project. Currently under construction, quA-ymn Solar will provide approximately 100 jobs at peak construction and full-time employment opportunities to support operations.
Leaders from the CIB, Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council (NNTC) and BluEarth renewables gather to celebrate financial close. (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank)
Through the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII), CIB is investing in projects which provide a service or a direct benefit to Indigenous communities. This project represents CIB’s first ICII clean power loan to reach financial close in British Columbia.
“The CIB’s $35 million investment into the quA-ymn Solar project, through its Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initative (ICII), will create more jobs, and provide long term economic benefits to the NNTC and member communities,” stated federal minister Harjit Sajjan, president of the King’s Privy Council for Canada. “This marks another important step forward in advancing economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples in B.C. and across Canada.”
“quA-ymn Solar demonstrates the NNTC’s resilience and dedication to addressing the interconnection between Indigenous rights and resources which will have long-term, positive impacts for their communities,” added Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank. “The CIB is proud to help advance this project, which will support economic reconciliation, provide stable revenue streams for the communities, opportunities for training and development and support Indigenous leadership in clean energy.”
