Ontario's Community Power Fund supports power feasibility studies in First Nations
Grant Profiles
Windward Co-operative Homes is a federal housing co-op on the Toronto waterfront. Last fall, they successfully completed a feasibility study for a solar thermal installation, which was funded by the Community Power Fund. Now they have been approved for a project development grant for $47,000 to complete the remaining development work and they hope to begin construction in April of this year.
Nipissing First Nation in partnership with Gemini Power is developing a biomass co-generation plant near North Bay. They were approved for a $59,000 feasibility grant to complete their connection impact assessment and business plan.
Local Initiative For Future Energy (LIFE) is a co-operative group located west of Kitchener and is pursuing a 10 MW wind farm near St. Agatha. In round one, LIFE was approved for a pre-feasibility grant to complete a pre-feasibility study for their project and have now been approved for a $40,000 feasibility grant to continue their work.
Muskrat Dam First Nation is located in northwestern Ontario and is exploring the possibility of replacing their diesel generation with a small hydroelectric project. The Fund board approved a feasibility grant of $25,000 for this remote community.
AMJ Canada Inc. has been approved for a pre-feasibility grant to explore the possibility of installing a solar hot water and thermal heating system as well as two 100 kW wind turbines at the site of the Baitul Islam mosque and community centre in Maple. The hope is that this initial project will act as a model for the remainder of the community centers/mosques in Ontario including Mississauga, Scarborough, Durham, Brampton, Windsor and Bradford.
Buckhorn Community Centre and Athletic Association is completing an energy retrofit project and received a pre-feasibility grant to explore the possibility of installing a geoexchange and solar hot water system at the Centre. One of the goals of their five-year strategic plan is to move toward a more energy-saving, environmentally-friendly facility. The retrofit project will also include energy efficient lighting and appliance upgrades.
Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative - Our Power is working on a program to assist up to 5 community solar groups to launch and in stall 200 solar systems over the next year. They will be providing advice and resources, a website and developing a community solar knowledge network.
Windfall Ecology Centre, in partnership with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, is working on a 20 MW wind project to be situated on Georgina Island. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $300,000 3 year project development grant.
Windy Hills Caledon is a not-for-profit organization based in the Caledon area. They plan to use a co-operative based share model to capitalize their 10 MW, 5 turbine wind project. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $300,000 3 year grant.
The Campbellford-Seymour Community Foundation (CSCF) is working with the Wildside Foundation to develop a 3 MW small hydro project at Teddy's Falls. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $12,500 grant.
Barrie Windcatchers is a co-operative group working in the City of Barrie to erect a 1.5 MW turbine at the City of Barrie's Sandy Hollow landfill. The Fund Board of Directors has approved a $25,000 feasibility grant.
Local Initiative For Future Energy (LIFE) is a co-operative working within the Waterloo-Wellington region to develop a wind power project in the St. Agatha area. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $5,000 pre-feasibility grant.
Next Generation Energy Alternatives is a non-profit organization proposing to install a 2 kW solar photovoltaic system on a downtown Toronto condominium or housing co-op. The Fund Board of Directors approved a $5,000 grant to complete feasibility work for the project.
The Norfolk Federation of Agriculture (NFA), in partnership with Farmers for Economic Opportunity (FEO), are working toward a 10 MW wind project in the Simcoe and Norfolk county area. The Fund approved a $5,000 grant to complete their pre-feasibility study.
Windshare Co-operative is a for-profit wind power co-operative based in Toronto. The Fund approved a $10,000 feasibility grant for Windshare to explore the possibility of a second turbine at Exhibition Place, Toronto.
Windward Co-operative Homes is a co-operative housing community in Toronto consisting of 101 households. The co-op plans to install a solar thermal system on their building to help offset natural gas use for hot water heating. The Fund approved a feasibility grant for $11,850.
M'Chigeeng First Nation of Manitoulin Island has been working toward a 10 MW wind project on the Island. The Fund approved a $25,000 grant to assist overcoming the barrier of a shortage of distribution grid capacity in their area.
Wikwemikong First Nation, located on Manitoulin Island, has been working on a 30 MW wind project. The project is currently facing a barrier due to a shortage of distribution grid capacity on Manitoulin Island. The Fund approved a $25,000 strategic opportunity grant to help overcome this barrier.