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Saint John Energy partners to build province's largest solar farm
A few years after the opening of a wind farm on the city's west side, Saint John Energy is now getting into the solar game on the other side of town.
The utility have partnered with Universal Kraft Renewables and Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) for the creation of a 10 megawatt solar farm on Old Black River Road. The first nation and energy developer will build, own and operate the solar farm, with 100 per cent of the power generated going to Saint John Energy.
Once operational, the solar farm is expected to produce enough energy to power around 1,200 homes and reduce carbon emissions by over 10,000 tonnes a year.
'The solar panels will be bifacial,' says Saint John Energy President & CEO, Ryan Mitchell. 'Which means when there is snow on the ground, there will be a reflection off of the snow that will also contribute to the production of electricity.'
Mitchell says the solar panels will be able to tilt and follow the sun to allow for maximum energy production.
The solar farm will be known as the Menahqwesk Kisuhs Energy Hub. The name blends the Wolastoqey word for Saint John with the word for sun.
The partnership between the First Nation and energy developer is 51 per cent, 49 per cent in favour of Neqotkuk. The project will cost around $14 to $15 million.
Universal Kraft Renewables specializes in several renewable energy projects from wind farms to battery storage, but this marks global companies first venture in New Brunswick.
It's also the first time the company has partnered with an Indigenous group for a project of this scale says project manager, Jacob Roth.
'It's much more community focused which is important to us,' says Roth on the difference partnering with First Nations communities over private developers. 'It's a different lens on how they look at the community. They're helping out with the environmental aspects, they have a lot of pride in the area that the developing in, they care about how the project integrates the community as a whole, and that really aligns with our core values as a company.'
Roth says the construction of the solar farm will required around 36 people, and once operations begin it will be a six person crew required to maintain the site.
Roth is also aware Saint John can be rather foggy due to the Bay of Fundy. He says when fog is present the panels won't operate at peak capacity but will still be able to capture some of the suns energy.
The solar farm will be the latest renewable energy project Tobique First Nation will have their hand in. The Indigenous community has also partnered with Saint John Energy for the Burchill Wind project and recently opened wind farm in Sussex.
Chief Rob Perley says the project will help generate revenue that will go towards funding band initiatives to help meet the needs for his community.
'First Nations communities are funded from federal dollars and it's never enough,' points out Chief Perley. 'Foodbank not funded, so we got to find ways to fund that. Upkeep of elders homes and housing, no funding for that. We got to find ways to provide that service and meet that need for our community.'
Construction of the project is expected to begin in spring of 2026 and be operational by the following summer. The solar farm initiative is the latest part of Saint John Energy's Zero30 plan to produce net-zero emissions by 2030.
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