The Canadian government announced in December 2022 that it has invested almost $3 million Canadian from the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs) program (aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by increasing renewable energy capacity for essential grid services) for the Fraser Basin Council’s Energy Peers in Indigenous Communities (EPIC) Network. Additional contributions from BC Hydro, New Relationship Trust and Fortis BC bring the total investment to over CA$3.3 million.

Although Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s minister of natural resources, acknowledges that the country’s First Nation communities have been on the front lines in the fight against climate change and are leading the way in low-carbon and clean energy projects, First Nation representatives indicate that community readiness is a barrier to implementing renewable energy projects.

To address that concern, the EPIC Network program intends to increase knowledge and hone skills regarding renewable energy and electrification in Indigenous communities in British Columbia. Plans include building capacity by providing training and support to participants (called energy champions) at different stages of readiness with a peer-to-peer cohort as part of a peer mentorship style of building knowledge, sharing information, networking and developing skills through training on renewable energy with First Nation subject matter experts.

Peer-to-peer training lends itself to enhanced cooperation and collaboration, as well as knowledge-sharing, relationship-building and social benefits. Being part of a team encourages cross-community sharing and support, all of which nurture equity, diversity and inclusion.

Ultimately, the goals of this project include empowering Indigenous communities to take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enabling them to participate in the renewable energy sector and providing opportunities for them to increase their energy resilience and achieve energy independence and sovereignty.

Added benefits of the program include environmental protections and the expectation of generating socioeconomic benefits for under-represented Indigenous communities in British Columbia. The EPIC Network plans to provide funds to Indigenous communities to assist them in reaching their energy goals in relation to renewable energy and electrification. These funds will be made available to eight communities to facilitate hiring an energy champion in an effort to build knowledge and acquire the skills necessary for small-scale (under 100-kilowatt) renewable energy projects in Indigenous on-grid communities.

Wilkinson says the funding of the EPIC Network program will help to advance First Nation leadership and aid Canada in reaching its target of a net-zero grid by 2035 through the support of Indigenous energy champions in British Columbia. If successful, this program will result in lower emissions and creation of sustainable jobs and low-carbon economic opportunities.