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CHETWYND, B.C. — Work on Sukunka Wind Project has wrapped up, making it the largest majority-owned Indigenous green energy project in B.C.

The 15MW wind project located south of Chetwynd was developed by Saulteau First Nations (SFN) and its partner Natural Forces. 

“This was a complex project undertaken during very difficult times,” Chief Justin Napoleon said in a statement. “I am very proud of our whole team. Our partners, contractors and suppliers had to be smart, flexible and adaptable to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. We all stayed on course to complete this major project, and together we delivered it on time and on budget.”

To achieve this, the team had to develop new tactics for project design, environmental protection, construction management and investment and financing. The project was delivered on schedule, though the critical phases had to be implemented during the pandemic.

“Taking part in this project has been very meaningful for me,” said John Brereton, president of Natural Forces.  “Saulteau deserves a lot of credit for the leadership they provided, and the spirit of collaboration they fostered among our team members. We strongly believe that as we continue to electrify our economy using green energy there is a bright future for low-cost, low-carbon, Indigenous-led projects.”

The project team noted that Indigenous-led clean energy projects can create employment and business development opportunities for local contractors, as well as long-term, stable revenues for communities like Saulteau.