Renewable energy a cost effective option for Arctic: study – CP

Source: The Canadian Press
May 31, 2016 13:08

New research suggests some Nunavut communities could cut their fossil fuel use by up to half with renewable energy that wouldn’t cost any more than the aging diesel generators they now use.

The study comes as the federal and territorial governments consider what to do about northern communities that rely on diesel to generate electricity.

In Nunavut, 13 of the territory’s 17 generators are more than 35 years old.

All are expensive to run and emit greenhouses gases and black carbon, which contributes to the melt of sea ice.

The study, led by the World Wildlife Fund, has concluded that proven wind and solar technologies could cut diesel use by up to 50 per cent in at least five communities without costing them more.

Nunavut has asked Ottawa for $250 million to replace and upgrade the territory’s power plants and energy infrastructure.

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