Community Empowerment through Wave Energy: A Model Initiative in Yuquot, BC
A wave energy project in Yuquot, British Columbia (BC) is being led by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (MMFN), with funding from TD Bank Group and the Clean Energy in Rural and Remote Communities Program by Natural Resources Canada. The project involves a consortium of partners from across Canada, including the Pacific Research Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED), Barkley Project Group, Canpac Marine Services, and Environmental Dynamics.
The goal of the project is for the MMFN to reclaim their land, rebuild their community, and harness the energy from North Pacific waves to support their new microgrid. This initiative could potentially serve as a model for similar projects along the North American Pacific Coast and globally.
Azar Kamran, CEO of the MMFN, highlighted the historical significance of Yuquot as a trade hub and expressed the community’s vision to establish it as a center for innovation in community building and clean energy development. The project represents an exciting step towards sustainable energy solutions for Indigenous communities and beyond. Currently in the feasibility and design phase, information gathered will help inform future implementation decisions.
