MLA Osborne celebrates Hesquiaht First Nation’s shift to clean energy at opening of the Ah’ta’apq Creek Hydro Power Project
HOT SPRINGS COVE – MLA Josie Osborne marked the opening of the Ah’ta’apq Creek Hydro Power Project yesterday, in a celebration led by the Hesquiaht First Nation and supported by project partners. The project, partially funded by the BC NDP Government, will support the Hesquiaht First Nation to move from diesel to clean electricity generation, and will benefit the community for years to come.
“I am thrilled to join the Hesquiaht First Nation in Hot Springs Cove to celebrate their Ah’ta’apq Creek hydro project” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim and Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “This project is an important milestone for the community that will help them reduce diesel use and switch to clean hydro power, ensure the protection of the Clayoquot Sound, and create jobs for people in the community. I congratulate the Hesquiaht First Nation for taking action to create this clean energy project that is helping to shape a cleaner, healthier future for all of us”.
This project, which will support the Hesquiaht First Nation to significantly reduce reliance on diesel power, received funding from multiple streams, including Indigenous Services Canada and the BC First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund; the Province provided $5.5 million in funding to support work on the project, including $4.1 million in 2020 through the Renewable Energy for Remote Communities program.
The Ah’ta’apq Creek Hydro Project, now complete, will reduce the community’s diesel consumption by 80 per cent, and aligns with Government goals of reducing diesel consumption in remote communities by 80 per cent by 2030.
Learn More: https://barkley.ca/press-release-opening-ceremony-for-ahtaapq-creek-hydro-power-project/