2030 Energy Strategy
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WORK TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS: COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT, PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT.
During the regional public engagement we heard
that communities want to be more engaged and
to be part of the solution. This included a range
of options including being partners in developing
solutions, undertaking projects independently, to
simply being kept updated on local solutions. The
GNWT agrees that our collective know-how and
effort is needed, and over the course of this Strategy
the GNWT will:
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Support community-based energy projects by
providing technical and financial support to
help communities advance renewable energy
and energy saving projects.
Provide opportunities for mentorship
and hands-on training of community
representatives for energy projects,
Create partnership opportunities in local
renewable energy projects for community and
Aboriginal governments that support local
capacity development
Support the development and implementation
of community-based energy plans
Provide opportunities for community and
Aboriginal governments for non-majority
equity buy-in positions in energy projects with
a business case
Create guidelines to support community owned
renewable generation in diesel communities.
Continue to involve and engage communities
on energy projects
Undertake education, energy literacy,
curriculum development and outreach
initiatives.
COMMUNICATIONS,
ENGAGEMENT AND
CAPACITY BUILDING
The GNWT will continue to engage communities
and Aboriginal governments on energy initiatives, in
keeping with the principles and approach identified
in "Respect, Recognition and Responsibility: The
GNWT's Approach to Engaging with Aboriginal
Governments" (2012). GNWT and its partners will
work with communities and Aboriginal governments
to clarify roles in project design and implementation
as appropriate.
The GNWT and its partners will continue to provide
understandable and reliable information on energy
efficiency and conservation to communities,
residents and businesses of the NWT. Effective
communication is essential for successful outcomes.
The GNWT works with the Arctic Energy Alliance
(AEA), which plays a lead role in providing
energy information to residents, communities
and businesses. With offices in each region, the
AEA works one-on-one with communities to
answer questions, deliver programs, and support
communities in the design and implementation of
energy projects.
To support long-term engagement, participation
and empowerment, the GNWT will develop energy
literacy material for use in NWT schools so that
future generations understand the different energy
options and emerging technologies, and the impacts
of their energy choices on the economy and the
environment.
The GNWT will support and partner with
communities, Aboriginal governments and
community organizations that want to get involved
in energy planning and projects to build their
capacity. It will provide technical advice, advance
project ideas, assist with funding applications, or
help to find information, resources and funding that
may be needed.
COMMUNITY
ENERGY PLANNING
The GNWT and the AEA will continue to support the
development and implementation of community
energy plans. Current community energy planning
will include lessons learned from the 2011-12
community energy planning process and focus on
implementing solutions.
The GNWT and the Northwest Territories
Association of Communities-with input from
the AEA-have developed a work plan to
provide support to community governments
for implementing and updating Community
Energy Plans. The GNWT is evolving its capital
planning process to promote and encourage the
implementation of Community Energy Plans,
and is committed to working with community
governments and other partners to implement their
plans.
SUPPORT INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIPS
It is a long-standing government policy that
Aboriginal governments should be given
the opportunity to partner in larger energy
development projects. The GNWT will continue toView entire presentation