Wekweètì’s senior administrative officer is seeking funding from both the territorial and federal governments to back a biomass district heating initiative in the community. Fred Behrens revealed that opportunities have emerged to secure financing from the territorial government’s GHG Grant Program and the federal government’s Build Communities Strong Fund for the project.
The plan entails establishing a heat plant near the community government office in Wekweètì, situated 200 kilometers north of Yellowknife and housing around 100 residents. The facility will house wood chips and three 300-kilowatt biomass boilers to distribute heat to 44 homes and 11 institutional structures via an underground pipe network.
Behrens highlighted that the system would be powered by material obtained from forest thinning and wildfire prevention activities in the vicinity. Additionally, the boilers would be linked to the community’s diesel generators, utilizing their exhaust as a supplementary heat source.
Projected to cover 95% of the community’s heating needs, the biomass district heating project is estimated to cost between $15 million and $20 million. Behrens anticipates annual savings of $200,000 in heating fuel expenses for the community. If all progresses smoothly, the district heating system could become operational by 2028.
Emphasizing the innovative use of wood chips over pellets, Behrens noted the unavailability of wood pellets on a commercial scale in the Northwest Territories. The community’s reliance on pellets sourced from producers in northern Alberta poses logistical challenges due to the limitations of the winter road network.
To sustain Wekweètì’s heating demands for a year, approximately 200 cords of wood would be required. Apart from utilizing materials from fire prevention initiatives, the community has identified a 20-year supply of material from a wildfire-affected area near Snare Lake.
Residents and officials in Wekweètì have expressed enthusiasm for the district heating concept, citing its cost-saving benefits and environmental advantages. Benjamin Pea’a, involved in fire protection measures, highlighted the potential of utilizing brush for the biomass heating system. Councillor Trent Rabesca echoed the sentiment, particularly emphasizing the benefits for households without wood stoves.
During a presentation to the Northwest Territories’ economic development and environment committee, Behrens outlined the project’s readiness for implementation and the need for capital funding. Discussions revolved around the community’s intent to offer heat at competitive rates compared to traditional fuels, aiming to provide significant cost savings for residents.
While contemplating financing options, including federal infrastructure funding and user fees, Behrens acknowledged the time-intensive nature of such approaches. The project garnered support from committee members, reflecting on the significance of advancing district heating initiatives within the Northwest Territories.