Big River’s hydrokinetic project lands $577K from feds

Research into Big River Service Centre’s hydrokinetic in-stream turbine in the Mackenzie River for electricity generation will continue, thanks to $577,600 from the federal government.

The money announced this week will provide the necessary resources to enable the Indigenous-owned Fort Providence business to build on last year’s research and will allow the placement of instruments at the site of a future turbine to collect water flow data throughout the year.

Big River Service Centre is considered by travellers as a key one-stop shop along Highway 3, as was evidenced during natural disaster evacuations of North Slave communities in recent years.

Big River spends almost $200,000 annually on electricity generated from diesel or propane.

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty, who is also the NWT’s MP, stated in a release: “Investing in clean energy projects like this one is about more than just innovation, it’s about supporting Northern communities as they lead the way in creating a more sustainable future.”

The project will establish whether there is sufficient flow in selected sites in the Mackenzie River to support a hydrokinetic power project to offset energy expenses.

Any surplus energy generated would be made available to the Fort Providence grid. Big River Service Centre is also home to a EV charging stations, as part of the GNWT’s charging corridor, with Naka Power Utilities.

Environmental protection is a core principle. The turbine does not block fish or change river flow.

Monitoring protocols are co designed with community members and environmental regulators. The 2024 research program demonstrated the high flow rates required to sustain a submersible turbine.
The work will be carried out by Ocean Renewable Power Company, the turbine manufacturer, in collaboration with the Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Test Centre, based in Winnipeg. The program is being managed by the Nexus Group, a consulting company based in Yellowknife.