Construction is set to begin on the Anahim Lake Solar Project, Ulkatcho Energy Corporation (UEC) announced Tuesday.
The move to the next stage follows the completion of civil earthworks by Duz Cho Construction LP.
The Anahim Lake Solar Project is set to provide local employment opportunities and enhance energy reliability while reducing emissions for the community, the company states. It will be the largest off-grid solar project in Canada and is set to reduce the remote community’s reliance on diesel generation by approximately 64 per cent. The solar plant will be integrated with the grid through a Community Electricity Purchase Agreement (CEPA) with BC Hydro, signed earlier in 2024.
The project, expected to be completed by October 2025, is being developed on industrial land previously used as a sawmill by Yun Ka Whu'ten Forestry, part of the Ulkatcho Group of Companies. It's located on Highway 20 about six hours southwest of Prince George by road, roughly between Williams Lake and Bella Coola.
The development will include the construction of a new access road, a solar control and monitoring facility, fire management infrastructure and various other property upgrades.
UEC has selected Wildstone Construction Ltd. as the principal contractor, following a competitive bidding process. Based in Penticton, Wildstone has experience working in remote communities across British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon.
The company is committed to working closely with First Nations, utilizing local resources and fostering long-term skills development within the community, UEC states in the announcement.
“Thanks to the unwavering support from BC Hydro and our federal and provincial governments, the Anahim Lake Solar Project will significantly reduce the community’s reliance on diesel fuel and contribute to BC’s greenhouse gas emission reductions,” stated Stephen James, CEO of Ulkatcho Group of Companies. “This project represents a new path for the Ulkatcho First Nation, and we look forward to building lasting partnerships with our collaborators, including Wildstone Construction Ltd.”
