Originally published in the June 2012 issue of the Nova Scotia Business Journal - National Aboriginal Day (June 21) special advertising feature
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs has been named one of the latest recipients of the Community Feed-In Tariff Program by the Nova Scotia Department of Energy.
The 4MW wind project at Whynotts Settlement, in the Bridgewater area, is being jointly developed by juwi Wind Canada and Community Wind Farms Inc. Once constructed the project will generate enough power for approximately 1,200 homes a year.
“The Whynotts project will begin to assist in addressing how the Mi'kmaq will be a viable and long term player in the renewable energy sector,” said Chief Gerard Julian, co-chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs. “As project owners, we will be able to offer a Mi'kmaq benefits program, designed and delivered by the Mi'kmaq, for the Mi'kmaq.”
Juwi Wind's CEO Michael Rucker said of the announcement, “Juwi is extremely pleased to have the Mi'kmaq Assembly of Chiefs as our community partner in Whynotts Community Wind. The project will provide an excellent opportunity for Nova Scotia's Mi'kmaq Community to receive significant benefit through direct project investment, job creation and our community benefit agreement with the Assembly.”
As an advanced technology, Whynotts affords the assembly the opportunity to educate its youth in the science of renewable energy and it will use the project as a free-standing science exhibit. Whynotts, and other renewable energy projects, will provide the assembly with a revenue stream which it plans to utilize as part of its long-term governance strategy.
“Opportunities in renewable energy are important for us today and for our future. Expanding the knowledge on what we can do with our natural resources can help shape how our communities live and work for years to come,” said Chief Julian.
*Read more Aboriginal Day stories at: http://www.ns.dailybusinessbuzz.ca/Industry-Spotlight/National-Aboriginal-Day-23764
