Alberta — Canada‘s federal government announced an investment of nearly $9 million for the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) to deploy a 4.86-megawatt solar power generation project in Smoky Lake County at Métis Crossing in the province.
The 100-percent Métis-owned Métis Crossing Solar Project (MCSP) was developed as a key initiative of the MNA Climate Change Action Plan.
The government says the solar facility will provide economic and community benefits to all community partners.
“Métis Crossing is an integral part of the MNA’s growth and development, and sustainability is at the heart of this journey,” said Audrey Poitras, President, Métis Nation of Alberta. “As stewards of our Homeland, we work every day to preserve and protect our environment for future generations. The Métis Crossing Solar Project is a huge step toward this goal, and I thank our partners for helping to make it a reality.”
“Métis Crossing is a place for Métis people to share their distinct Indigenous story with the world,” Juanita Marois, CEO, Métis Crossing. “Our connection with the land is an essential element of our story, and we strive to integrate sustainability and our connection with the land throughout all of the infrastructure and programming that we offer at Métis Crossing.”
The MCSP is expected to generate enough electricity to power all MNA and affiliate buildings, an amount roughly equivalent to 1,200 Alberta homes, and will displace 4,700 tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to taking 10,000 gas-powered cars off of the road.
Profits generated from the MCSP will be used to fund social and economic development initiatives and programs through the MNA, benefiting Métis people across Alberta.
The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Municipal Community Generation Challenge Fund and Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund also contributed to the project, bringing the total investment to over $13 million.
Federal funding for this project is provided by Natural Resources Canada’s $1.56-billion Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs) program.
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