Indigenous communities are among the most important builders and owners of clean energy in Canada. First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities lead or co-own solar farms, wind projects, hydro stations, battery storage and major transmission lines — often as equity partners rather than just hosts. These projects generate revenue, cut diesel use in remote communities and put decisions about land and energy in the hands of the people who live there.
Key takeaways
- Indigenous ownership of clean energy is widespread, from small community solar to multi-billion-dollar transmission and nuclear partnerships.
- Equity ownership gives communities long-term revenue and a real say in how projects are built and run.
- Remote communities that have relied on diesel generators are using solar, wind, storage and new grid connections to reduce fuel use.
- Federal and provincial loan guarantee programs are helping communities finance larger ownership stakes.
- Every community's goals and approach are different; there's no single model.
Why Indigenous leadership in energy matters
Many energy projects in Canada are built on or near Indigenous lands, and historically communities saw little benefit from them. Ownership changes that relationship. Community-led projects can:
- Generate own-source revenue for housing, education, language programs and infrastructure
- Reduce energy costs and pollution in communities that rely on diesel
- Build local skills and jobs in construction, operations and maintenance
- Reflect community values in how land and water are protected
- Advance self-determination through control over essential infrastructure
Models of participation
| Model | What it looks like | Typical scale |
|---|---|---|
| Community-owned | A First Nation or Métis organization fully owns and operates a project | Small to medium solar, wind or hydro |
| Equity partnership | Community owns a significant share alongside a utility or developer | Utility-scale wind, solar, storage, transmission |
| Majority Indigenous ownership | Indigenous partners hold more than half the project | Large transmission and generation projects |
| Benefit agreements | Revenue-sharing, jobs and contracts without ownership | Projects of many sizes |
| Community energy planning | Communities set long-term energy goals and priorities | Planning and capacity-building |
Increasingly, communities are pursuing equity rather than benefit agreements alone, because ownership provides long-term returns and decision-making power.
Notable examples across Canada
These examples illustrate the range of projects — they're far from a complete list.
Wataynikaneyap Power (Ontario)
A majority First Nations–owned transmission company, Wataynikaneyap Power is a partnership in which 24 First Nations hold a majority stake alongside a utility partner. The project has been building transmission lines to connect 17 remote First Nations in northwestern Ontario to the provincial grid, many of which previously depended on diesel generators. It's one of the largest Indigenous-led infrastructure projects in Canadian history.
Darlington New Nuclear Project (Ontario)
In June 2026, federal and Ontario loan guarantees were announced to help the seven Williams Treaties First Nations acquire a significant minority interest in Ontario's small modular reactor project at Darlington. Our explainer on small modular reactors in Canada covers the project in detail.
Remote and northern solar
In Yukon, the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation's solar project in Old Crow, a fly-in community, was designed to displace a significant share of the diesel used for electricity. Similar solar, battery and wind projects in remote communities across the North and the northern parts of many provinces are cutting fuel deliveries and emissions. See our Yukon and Northwest Territories guides for more on northern energy systems.
Prairie solar and wind
In Saskatchewan, Cowessess First Nation has developed solar and energy storage projects. In Alberta, several First Nations and Métis communities have installed solar on community buildings and partnered on larger utility-scale solar and wind farms. Learn more about the technologies on our solar and wind pages.
Wind in Quebec and Atlantic Canada
Mi'gmaq communities in Quebec's Gaspé region co-own wind farms in partnership with developers, and First Nations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick hold stakes in wind projects that supply provincial utilities.
How financing is changing
Large projects require large investments, and access to capital has been one of the biggest barriers to Indigenous equity. Loan guarantee programs help by backing community borrowing, so lenders offer better terms:
- The federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, a $10 billion initiative, supports Indigenous equity in major projects across sectors including energy.
- Several provinces — including Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan — run their own Indigenous loan guarantee or financing programs.
- Federal and provincial programs also fund community energy planning, feasibility studies and clean energy projects in remote communities.
Challenges that remain
- Capacity: Smaller communities may lack staff and resources to evaluate complex deals.
- Grid access: Connecting projects can be slow and costly, and some provincial procurement rules limit opportunities.
- Remote logistics: Building in fly-in communities raises costs and shortens construction seasons.
- Consultation and consent: Projects must respect rights and title, and communities may say no to projects that don't align with their priorities.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indigenous communities own clean energy projects outright, or just partner?
Both. Some communities fully own projects, especially smaller solar, wind and run-of-river hydro. For larger projects, equity partnerships with utilities or developers are more common, sometimes with Indigenous partners holding a majority.
Why do so many remote communities still use diesel?
Many remote communities aren't connected to provincial grids, and diesel generators have been the default for decades. New transmission links and local renewable-plus-storage systems are reducing that dependence, but each project requires significant planning and investment.
How can non-Indigenous Canadians support Indigenous-led clean energy?
Learn about the communities and projects in your region, support policies that prioritize Indigenous ownership and consent, and look for opportunities to buy from or partner with Indigenous-owned energy businesses.
The bottom line
Indigenous-led clean energy isn't a niche — it's a central part of how Canada is building its energy future. From transmission lines that end diesel dependence to equity stakes in nuclear and wind, communities are using ownership to build wealth, protect land and shape decisions. As financing tools expand, the role of Indigenous partners in Canada's clean energy transition is likely to keep growing.
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