The community of Quaqtaq in Nunavik is making progress towards managing its energy production independently as a wind energy project is underway. Tarquti Energy, a collaborative venture between the Makivvik Corporation and FCNQ-Ilagiisaq, is constructing a 3,000-kilowatt wind turbine to serve the approximately 500 residents of the village.
Carson Tagoona, the director of strategic communications at Tarquti, expressed optimism about the project’s potential to demonstrate the feasibility of such infrastructure and its associated benefits. While Quebec aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and relies heavily on renewable energy sources for electricity, most of Nunavik currently depends on imported diesel fuel, with only one hydroelectric project in Inukjuak.
Despite facing logistical challenges due to the region’s severe climate, including transportation and technology resilience issues, the team dedicated significant effort to selecting the appropriate turbine for Quaqtaq. Tagoona highlighted the challenge of finding turbines capable of withstanding the strong northern winds without being too large for the community’s needs.
Tarquti is actively exploring clean energy initiatives across many Nunavik communities. Besides the Quaqtaq project, they are developing a wind energy project in Puvirnituq that, together with Quaqtaq’s turbine, is expected to fulfill around 60% of the two villages’ electricity demands, resulting in substantial diesel savings over a 25-year period.
This wind energy endeavor represents more than just a shift away from fossil fuels; it also offers job opportunities and the potential to cultivate a new economic landscape. Emily He from the Pembina Institute emphasized the importance of empowering communities to control and own their energy systems, fostering a sense of pride and self-sufficiency.
While the move towards community-owned energy systems is promising, concerns remain about the future of clean energy projects amid federal funding cuts. Tagoona anticipates the completion of Quaqtaq’s wind turbine by fall 2027, with operations expected to commence before 2029.