Lake Babine Nation (LBN) is betting on the construction of a biomass plant to provide clean energy to its members and create a steady revenue stream.
Expected to be on the grid by 2017, the biomass plant will burn wood chips to sell heat to government organizations, private homes in Woyenne and community buildings in Fort Babine.
Chief Wilf Adam said negotiations are still taking place and it is still undetermined how much revenue the plant will generate for LBN once completed.
The project’s phase one, which is still ongoing, includes engineering feasibility study, engineering design, crew training and work experience for firewood program.
During phase one, seven local First Nations people received on-the-job training through a government-funded program. During the 47-week program, which wrapped up in June 2015, participants built 67 firewood storage sheds for LBN in Tachet and Fort Babine, as well as two timber bridges.
Lake Babine Nation’s biomass project manager Bernard Patrick said this job creation partnership has impacted the community "in positive ways," saying the seven locals received “fantastic job experience.”
Chief Adam said he is still unsure how long phase one will take.
Phase two will include the construction of an underground distribution system in Fort Babine, a community of about 200 members.
Phase three of the construction project, which is expected to wrap up in 2017, will see the construction of an energy centre in Woyenee, as well as a business set-up and operation training.
Once completed, the biomass plant is expected to create five full-time and eight part-time permanent jobs.
John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, said the provincial government is "very supportive" of First Nations exploring energy options for their communities.
“Investing in First Nations clean-energy projects and capacity building supports First Nations to achieve economic self-sufficiency,” said Rustad.
The province provided $40,000 to LBN for a feasibility study for the project in 2013, and more than $110,000 for the skills training program.
According to the provincial government, biomass resources in B.C. provide cheaper and more sustainable energy to remote communities.
The province has committed itself to maintain a share of at least 90 per cent of its electricity generation from clean and renewable energy sources, and to mandate that all new facilities will have net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Biomass, as a carbon neutral renewable resource, can make a major contribution towards this goal.
The ministry of forests, lands and natural resource operations estimates Northern B.C. has the largest availability of wood biomass in the country, with approximately 3.1 million cubic meters of potential forest tenure available for use as biomass for energy.