Yellowknife — February 3, 2026
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released the 2024-2025 Energy Initiatives Report, outlining progress made over the past fiscal year to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, stabilize energy costs, and support long-term energy security across the Northwest Territories.
The report measures actions taken under the 2030 Energy Strategy and highlights the GNWT’s recent adoption of Canada’s long-term target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The GNWT is continuing to invest in cleaner, more reliable energy systems and policies that ensure northern communities can transition from diesel dependence to sustainable, affordable renewable solutions.
This year’s report also reflects one of the most significant regulatory changes in the territory’s energy sector in more than a decade: a new electricity policy direction issued to the Public Utilities Board (PUB). This direction includes 11 measures designed to modernize utility regulation, support renewable energy integration, and protect ratepayers while enabling long-term electrification and community-driven power generation.
The Energy Initiatives Report provides annual public reporting on the actions, investments, programs, and emission reductions delivered under the 2030 Energy Strategy. It includes updates on community projects, renewable energy development, efficiency programs, transmission and hydro upgrades, and planning for long-term electrification.
The full report is available here.
Quote:
“Energy costs, climate change, and community energy security remain core priorities for this government. The 2024-2025 report demonstrates the real progress being made, from growing renewable energy capacity to stronger planning across the power system and sets the stage for a united territorial climate and energy strategy in 2026.”
- Caroline Wawzonek, Minister Responsible for Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains.
Quick Facts
- The 2024-25 report highlights $10.4 million in GNWT energy investments across partnership programs, renewable energy initiatives, efficiency projects, and long-term infrastructure planning.
- The NWT has reduced territorial GHG emissions by approximately 22% compared to 2005 levels and is on track to meet the 2030 target of 30% below 2005.
- Since 2018, GNWT-supported energy projects have reduced emissions by an estimated 27.5 kilotonnes of CO2e in 2024, with reductions forecast to reach 54.6 kilotonnes annually by 2030.
- The GNWT issued a new direction to the Public Utilities Board with 11 regulatory instructions, including:
- Long-term Integrated Power Systems Planning
- Raising renewable penetration limits in thermal communities
- Updating net-metering rules and compensation
- Establishing a formal Independent Power Producer mechanism
- Adjusting fixed utility charges to better reflect system costs
- Supporting electrification and EV charging investments
- Creating a territorial stabilization fund model to buffer high fuel and low-water cost fluctuations
- Nearly 20% of GNWT building heating now comes from renewable sources, and Housing NWT has installed or planned multiple biomass heating projects in communities across the territory.
- The number of registered electric vehicles in the NWT increased by 42% this year, supported by a growing EV charging corridor connecting Great Slave Lake communities to the Alberta border.
In 2026, the GNWT will release a combined territorial climate change and energy strategy to guide actions to 2050.
Quick Links:
For media requests, please contact:
Department of Infrastructure
Government of the Northwest Territories
INF_communications@gov.nt.ca