2030 Energy Strategy
18
HOW WE WILL ACHIEVE IT
INUVIK WIND
SMALL WIND
TRANSMISSION
LINES
Inuvik uses more diesel to generate
electricity than any other community in
the NWT. It also has wind available that is
suitable for generating electricity. The GNWT
conducted feasibility studies at a site close
to the airport, and has concluded that the
site would be suitable for 2 to 4 MW of wind
power. This could reduce GHG emissions
about 6,400 tonnes per year. Historically,
larger scale wind turbines were not designed
for use in our cold northern climate.
Turbine technology with cold weather
enhancements now makes operation in
extreme cold conditions possible, as proved
out by the success of the 9.4MW wind farm
at the Diavik Diamond Mine. Wind power is
viable in Inuvik, and this is a priority project.
A few smaller communities have wind
speeds suited for small wind turbines
that could be installed to reduce diesel
generation. In the past, small turbines
were ill-suited to the NWT's cold climate.
However, wind turbines can now be
delivered with features that make them
more robust and reliable for cold climate
use. Small wind turbines can be installed to
reduce diesel use in remote communities
year-round. They have the potential to
annually produce more electricity than
solar, which is limited in the winter. If small
wind were installed in two communities
GHG emissions could be reduced by about
600 tonnes a year.
Connecting diesel communities to
renewable hydroelectricity would almost
entirely eliminate diesel use, except for
emergency backup electrical generation.
There are three communities close enough
to be connected to existing hydroelectric
power transmission lines-Fort Providence,
Kakisa, and Whatì. If these communities
were connected, GHG emissions would be
reduced by about 4,500 tonnes per year.
No additional generation would be needed
as they would use surplus hydropower that
is presently available in the Snare and the
Taltson hydroelectricity systems.
The GNWT expects that small wind
turbines will be able to reduce diesel use
in remote communities year-round.View entire presentation