The Government of Yukon is extending and expanding the Innovative and Renewable Energy Initiative with changes that will make the fund more accessible and reduce the territory’s reliance on fossil fuels. The popular initiative will also receive $1 million in additional annual funding, bringing the total to $2.5 million per year, to support more small-scale First Nation and community-led renewable electricity and heat generation projects.
The Innovative and Renewable Energy Initiative (IREI) was established in 2017. It supports the Yukon government’s efforts to develop local business opportunities, increase clean energy generation and reduce diesel use in the territory as part of the Our Clean Future strategy. A range of technologies are supported through the IREI, including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass, energy storage and demand-side management projects.
The IREI has already provided funding to 16 projects in communities across the territory. Half of the funding allotted to date has gone to Yukon First Nations governments and development corporations, nearly a third has gone to community-based businesses or a public utility, and the remaining amount has gone to municipalities. Funded projects include the Haeckel Hill Wind Project, the Old Crow Solar Project, the Teslin Biomass Project and the Kluane Wind Project.
The IREI is contributing to the territory’s Our Clean Future goals of establishing independent power production projects in all off-grid communities by 2030 and generating 97 per cent of electricity on the Yukon’s grid from renewable sources by 2030.
Helping Yukon communities develop renewable energy helps the whole of the Yukon. The Innovative and Renewable Energy Initiative reduces greenhouse gases, builds a resilient green economy and opens doors to sustainable local income.
Minister responsible for Yukon Development Corporation John Streicker
The Innovative Renewable Energy Initiative (IREI) was established in the 2017–18 fiscal year to provide annual funding to support small-scale, First Nation and community-led renewable electricity and heat generation projects.
The IREI program has now been extended with an annual increase in funding of $1 million, for total annual funding of $2.5 million until 2025.
Applicants to the initiative may apply for funding for 75 per cent of eligible expenditures and up to $150,000 for feasibility; $300,000 for design; and $500,000 for implementation. Any one project may receive up to $500,000 in total across all project stages.
The IREI has already provided funding to 16 projects with half of funding going to a Yukon First Nation government or development corporation; nearly a third to community-based businesses or a public utility, and the remaining amount to municipalities. For example, $485,000 was contributed to the design and implementation of the Haeckel Hill Wind Project.
A range of technologies are supported through the IREI, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass, energy storage and demand-side management projects. Approved projects through the initiative must generate energy in the Yukon with proven technologies from renewable sources.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Cameron Heke
Communications, Department of Economic Development
867-667-8968
cameron.heke@yukon.ca