Yellowknife — September 20, 2022
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and NT Energy are pleased to announce the wind turbine and other large components of the Inuvik Wind Project have arrived in Inuvik.
The arrival of the single 3.5-megawatt wind turbine is a major milestone for the project, which is a key initiative under the 2030 Energy Strategy and will reduce diesel consumption in the NWT’s largest diesel-powered community by 30 percent – offsetting diesel consumption in Inuvik by three million litres annually. Construction of the project began in January of 2022.
The Inuvik Wind Project includes the installation of the turbine and small battery storage system, a six-kilometre access road, and a distribution line connecting it to existing lines near Inuvik’s Mike Zubko Airport.
The newly arrived equipment, which includes the turbine base and blades, is being stored at the Marine Transportation Services (MTS) facility in Inuvik while construction of the access road and other site preparation activities continue. Despite challenges to the transportation of the wind turbine, caused by flooding, crews were able to successfully deliver the turbine to Inuvik without sustaining damage or delaying the project.
Along with the arrival of the wind turbine, progress on other aspects of the project include:
- Construction of the access road is approximately 50 percent complete and is scheduled to be finished by November 2022.
- Distribution line materials are on site and installation has begun.
- Thermosyphons have been installed and turbine foundation work continues.
In 2018, the Inuvik Wind Project was the first of its kind in the NWT to receive funding under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Canada has committed up to $30 million toward the project, with an additional $10 million contribution from the GNWT.
This project is being completed by NT Energy, a sister company of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC). NT Energy focuses on renewable and low carbon energy projects and business development opportunities for the North. The Inuvik Wind Project is expected to be commissioned and operating by early 2023.
Quote(s)
“With the arrival of the wind turbine and other large components, we continue to make significant progress on this monumental renewable energy project, for the benefit of NWT residents. The NWT’s relatively small population and expansive geography contributes to the high cost of living, investment in alternative and renewable energy can reduce the reliance on diesel and stabilize the cost of power while reducing the territory’s greenhouse gas emissions.”
- Diane Archie, Minister of Infrastructure
“Inuvik is our largest community primarily powered by fossil fuels. The addition of the wind turbine to our local generation mix will help us achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction outlined in the GNWT’s 2030 Energy Strategy as well as reduce the community’s reliance on diesel.”
- Cory Strang, President and CEO, NTPC
Quick facts
- Each turbine blade is approximately 67 metres long and the height of the wind turbine will be 150 metres measured at the tip of the vertical turbine blade.
- The turbine was barged to Inuvik on the Mackenzie River by MTS.
- The turbine was manufactured in Germany and arrived in Hay River late summer 2021.
Related links
For media requests, please contact:
INF Communications
Department of Infrastructure
Government of the Northwest Territories