Canada’s remote communities work to reduce diesel use

Throughout Canada, remote communities are looking for ways to lower their reliance on diesel fuel. (iStock)
Throughout Canada, remote communities are looking for ways to lower their reliance on diesel fuel. (iStock)
Two of Canada’s northern territories, along with several of its provinces, are establishing a task force to reduce the use of diesel-generated electricity in their remote communities.

The task force will be chaired by Manitoba and will include officials and agencies from the Northwest Territories, Canada’s northwestern Yukon territory, and the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The work of this group is a unique opportunity for northerners to assist our remote communities with their energy consumption and strengthen their long-term resiliency and sustainability,” said Scott Kent, Yukon’s minister of energy, mines and resources in a news release on Tuesday.

Diesel: a two-edged sword

Diesel has long been the fuel of choice in most of Canada’s remote northern communities, most of which are not connected to the North American power grid.

Compared to other energy sources in the North, diesel facilities are easier and more cost-effective to set up and easier to add to as demand increases.

But in the North and other remote Canadian communities, operating costs can be high. Fuel must also be transported great distances, often by ship or plane.  This, coupled with the price volatility of fuel , can make diesel an expensive option.

“With electricity prices of 55 cents per kilowatt hour in our remote communities, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to finding innovative solutions to meet the energy requirements of our communities in a sustainable and affordable manner,” said David Ramsay, the Northwest Territories minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Community concerns

Much of the diesel infrastructure in Canada’s North is ageing and in need of updates.

When power goes down or repairs are needed, the long distances, coupled with often harsh weather conditions, can leave communities vulnerable. 

Environmental concerns are also prompting communities and officials to explore alternate energy options.

Pan-Arctic issue

Earlier this year, Canada’s Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources issued a report sounding the alarm on the dire state of energy infrastructure in Canada’s North. 

In it, it cited reliance on diesel as a key challenge in the North.  It also highlighted the possibilities investment in renewable energy could bring, both in terms of jobs, longterm cost and environment.

Next steps

The new task force said its next step was preparing a report looking a five main areas:

    •  grid connection and alternative energy solutions
    • information sharing about remote communities
    • efforts already underway to reduce diesel use
    • opportunities for community cooperation on pilot projects
    • risk mitigation suggestions and strategies

Manitoba will host the first task force meeting but the date has not yet been released.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada:  Energy challenges in Canada’s North, Radio Canada International

Finland: One of world’s largest geo-bio-energy facilities slated for Finland, Yle News

Greenland: Arctic oil and gas must stay in ground to restrict warming to 2°C says study, Blog by Mia Bennett

Iceland:  From Arctic Circle 2013-2014, a big drop in the price of oil, Blog by Mia Bennett

Norway: Japan wants wind power from Arctic Norway, Barents Observer

Russia: No alternative to Arctic oil says Russia environment minister, Barents Observer

Sweden: Wind power investments down in Sweden, Radio Sweden

United States: Alternative heating system shows promise for reducing fuel costs in Interior Alaska, Alaska Public Radio Network

Eilís Quinn, Eye on the Arctic

Eilís Quinn is an award-winning journalist and manages Radio Canada International’s Eye on the Arctic news cooperation project. Eilís has reported from the Arctic regions of all eight circumpolar countries and has produced numerous documentary and multimedia series about climate change and the issues facing Indigenous peoples in the North.

Her investigative report "Death in the Arctic: A community grieves, a father fights for change," about the murder of Robert Adams, a 19-year-old Inuk man from Arctic Quebec, received the silver medal for “Best Investigative Article or Series” at the 2019 Canadian Online Publishing Awards. The project also received an honourable mention for excellence in reporting on trauma at the 2019 Dart Awards in New York City.

Her report “The Arctic Railway: Building a future or destroying a culture?” on the impact a multi-billion euro infrastructure project would have on Indigenous communities in Arctic Europe was a finalist at the 2019 Canadian Association of Journalists award in the online investigative category.

Her multimedia project on the health challenges in the Canadian Arctic, "Bridging the Divide," was a finalist at the 2012 Webby Awards.

Her work on climate change in the Arctic has also been featured on the TV science program Découverte, as well as Le Téléjournal, the French-Language CBC’s flagship news cast.

Eilís has worked for media organizations in Canada and the United States and as a TV host for the Discovery/BBC Worldwide series "Best in China."

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