Open in full screen mode In Nunavut, the majority of electricity is produced from diesel imported on supply ships during the summer, then stored for used during the year. Radio-Canada Speech synthesis, based on artificial intelligence, makes it possible to generate spoken text from a written text. With the historic compromise reached at the UN climate conference, Nunavut is seeking green solutions to meet its energy needs while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. On Wednesday, representatives from 200 countries attending the UN conference signed a text paving the way for the gradual abandonment of fossil fuels in order to combat climate change. In Nunavut, where all 25 communities rely on diesel, the energy transition is only in the planning phase, but a few projects are close to seeing the light of day, according to the president and CEO of the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, Harry Flaherty. We need to start moving forward. We need to plan how we can change things in Inuit Nunangat, he said. Community consultations on possible renewable energy projects, organized by the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and the Nunavut Nukkasarvut Corporation, were held last month in Iqaluit. The discussions mainly revolved around hydroelectric, solar and wind energy projects. Harry Flaherty explains that, for the moment, these projects are centered in Iqaluit, because the population has increased dramatically over the years, he says. An analysis of these consultations has just been carried out, and a report is being drawn up. Then the survey work could begin next summer, as well as preliminary studies, depending on the project, says Harry Flaherty. We can then discuss the next steps of the project, he adds.
Harry Flaherty is the President and CEO of the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.
Several renewable energy projects have been launched in recent years.
Student residences at the Arctic College campus in Iqaluit are equipped with solar panels. Solar panels will also be installed at the Kugluktuk power station.
In Sanikiluaq, the construction of a wind turbine is planned, which will reduce the community's dependence on diesel by half.
The energy company Qulliq also identified five communities in 2016 that had the potential to produce electricity from wind turbines.
Harry Flaherty believes that the energy transition of the territory will allow a radical reduction in the heating and electricity bill.
I think it is very likely that this cut everything in half. Everything would be more affordable, he says. We must find alternatives and play a role, however small, in making a difference.
With information from Kyle Bakx< /em>