NNTC & BluEarth Renewables BC solar plant fully operational
BluEarth Renewables and the Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council (NNTC) announced its quA-ymn Solar Project has reached full operational status, supplying electricity to homes in British Columbia and providing regional economic benefits.
The facility represents a partnership between shQUAQUash Energy, an entity of the NNTC, and BluEarth Renewables.
The NNTC started work on the solar project in 2011, with BluEarth joining as a formal partner in 2019.
The development of the quA-ymn Solar Project was financed by the Canada Infrastructure Bank, which supports the creation of infrastructure in line with national priorities, including clean energy and Indigenous involvement in major developments. In November 2024, the CIB announced a $35 million loan towards the facility.
The project is built on 24 hectares of reclaimed land within the District of Logan Lake, approximately 50 kilometres southwest of Kamloops, BC
In total, 39,000 solar panels were installed, providing sufficient power for more than 2,400 homes each year. The expected lifespan of the facility is up to 40 years.
It is also a significant investment for the Nlaka'pamux Council, which will ultimately provide stability for the surrounding Indigenous communities, according to Chief Matt Pasco, Chair and Title Protector of the NNTC.
"The quA-ymn Solar Project is beneficial to the Nlaka'pamux in myriad ways and confirms that the disciplined and principled approach of the NNTC best protects and advances Nlaka'pamux title and rights. Utility projects such as quA-ymn provide predictable funds over a long time period which allows Nlaka'pamux to develop long-term plans," said Pasco.
The facility's construction and ongoing operation are intended to create employment opportunities and stimulate economic activity in the region, aligned with the NNTC's governance approach, which includes a commitment to long-term stewardship of land and natural resources.
"We are proud to have been invited to partner with shQUAQUash Energy and of what we have accomplished together with this facility. We worked closely with the Nation through every stage of development, sharing the risks and cost of our joint venture, and now we are partnered to provide ongoing, long-term economic benefits to the region," said Grant Arnold, President & CEO of BluEarth Renewables.
Established in the early 1980s, the NNTC represents multiple Indigenous communities focused on protecting the title and rights of the Nlaka'pamux Nation. Guided by communal principles and traditional laws regarding land and resource management, the Council's participation in renewable energy projects forms part of broader efforts to achieve economic independence and well-being for its members.
BluEarth Renewables is an independent power producer owning and operating wind, hydro, solar, and storage facilities across North America. The company states its operational portfolio comprises of more than 780 megawatts of capacity in service or under development, with expansion plans totalling over seven gigawatts of projects.
