2030 Energy Strategy
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Northwest Territories (NWT) is large and
sparsely populated, and is remote from much of
the population of Canada. Long, cold, dark winters
increase the amount of energy needed to stay safe
and comfortable. Energy is required to heat and
light our homes and businesses, to transport people
and goods, and to power our industries. Our energy
supply is highly dependent on imported fossil
fuels such as diesel and gasoline-at the same
time that Canada and most nations have committed
to reduce the use fossil fuels.
This draft Northwest Territories 2030 Energy
Strategy (Strategy) sets out the Government of
the Northwest Territories' (GNWT) long-term
approach to addressing affordability, security
and sustainability of energy supply and use in
the NWT. The goal of this Strategy is to guide the
development of affordable, secure and sustainable
energy for transportation, heat, and electricity,
support energy efficiency and conservation, and
promote renewable and alternative energy solutions
for the NWT.
This Strategy was developed through extensive
public engagement that included regional
workshops with residents, communities, businesses,
Aboriginal governments and other stakeholders
across the NWT. What we heard is that we need
to address climate change, address energy
affordability, and develop the NWT energy potential.
For the Strategy to be successful, the GNWT and
its partners including utilities, governments,
communities, residents, business, industry and non-
government organizations-must work together,
be flexible, and seek funding and investment
opportunities.
By 2030, the NWT will have a secure, affordable and
sustainable energy system that is less dependent
on fossil fuels, and contributes to the economic,
social and environmental wellbeing of the Territory
and its residents. The GNWT will achieve this vision
by following guiding principles in decision making
that include shared responsibility, Aboriginal and
community engagement, leading by example, as
well as transparency and accountably.
This Strategy has six strategic objectives to reach
the overarching and 2030 vision:
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•
Work together to find solutions: community
engagement, participation and empowerment.
Reduce GHG from electricity generation in
diesel-powered communities by an average of
25%.
Reduce GHG emissions from road vehicles by
10% per capita.
• Increase the share of renewable energy used
for space heating to 40%.
Increase residential, commercial, and
government building energy efficiency by 15%.
A longer-term vision: developing the NWT's energy
potential, address industry emissions, and do our
part to meet national climate change objectives.
The Strategy takes an adaptive approach to these
strategic objectives, which will be re-evaluated
after five years to ensure they represent what is
achievable given new technology. The strategic
objectives will be achieved through action and
direction to be undertaken by the GNWT and its
partners. The GNWT will develop and release a
detailed energy action plan to be included in the
final Strategy to ensure that the strategic objectives
are achieved.
The GNWT will prepare annual reports on its
activities and progress relating to the Energy
Strategy, table those reports in the NWT Legislative
Assembly, and publish them on the Department of
Infrastructure's website.
This draft Northwest Territories 2030 Energy Strategy
sets out the Government of the Northwest Territories'
long-term approach to addressing affordability, security
and sustainability of energy supply and use in the NWT.
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