Indigenous-Owned Solar Project Under Way in B.C.
Canada’s largest off-grid solar farm will provide cleaner, healthier electricity for a remote First Nations community
Construction is under way for the Anahim Lake Solar Project, set to be the largest off-grid solar farm in Canada. Located in Anahim Lake, B.C., the 3.8-megawatt solar installation will produce clean and renewable energy for the Ulkatcho First Nation, which currently relies on diesel for power. This project will reduce the need for diesel generation by about 64%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
The Anahim Lake Solar Project is 100% Indigenous owned. In April 2024, BC Hydro signed its first-ever Community Electricity Purchase Agreement (CEPA) with Ulkatcho Energy Corporation (UEC), a member of Ulkatcho First Nation’s Ulkatcho Group of Companies (UGoC). Through this agreement, BC Hydro will purchase solar energy generated at Anahim Lake Solar Farm for the next 20 years.
“I am honoured to be involved in this great initiative,” says Chief Charlie Williams of the Ulkatcho First Nation. “Since my first meeting with BC Hydro five years ago, this project has come a long way and will have a very positive impact on our community. Through our Ulkatcho Group of Companies, we are giving our people a cleaner environment and preserving our lands through reducing greenhouse gas emissions on our Traditional Territory.”
The solar farm is being built on industrial land of an old sawmill site. To efficiently store and distribute the power it generates, BC Hydro is upgrading the Anahim Lake Station Microgrid. A new control system will transition operations from analog to digital, and batteries will store surplus energy generated during the day, ensuring reliable power supply after the sun goes down.
Chris O’Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro, emphasizes the importance of collaborating with First Nations to deliver this leading-edge technology:
“Our collaboration with Ulkatcho Energy Corporation not only sets the foundation for future partnerships with First Nations across the province but also underscores BC Hydro’s commitment to supporting Indigenous-led clean energy initiatives — ensuring reliable, sustainable power for generations to come.”
The project also includes the construction of new access roads, a control and monitoring facility, site fire management, signage, and security. Construction is expected to be completed in October 2025.