Indigenous community becomes part-owner of 40-MW biomass plant

A joint venture between the Arrow Group of Companies, the Nak'azdli Development Corp (NDC) and low-carbon infrastructure developer Nexus Program Management Group LLC has closed the acquisition of a 40-MW biomass power plant in British Columbia.

The JV, called BioNorth Energy LP, is now the owner of the Fort St James Green Energy Project, located in the northern part of the Canadian province.

The acquired plant started generating power in 2017 but ceased operations in June 2021 with more than 26 years remaining on its off-take contract with BC Hydro. This week, 34 employees will return to work in order to complete minor recommissioning activities. The facility is planned to start generating power again later this month. Extensive recommissioning work is planned for next spring.

When announcing the deal in October, Tim Bell, BioNorth Energy's president, said the following: "We believe we have a solid strategy to address the challenges faced by the previous owners and are ready to invest the effort and resources necessary to recommission the facility and create a flagship clean power generation operation.”

NDC is the economic development arm of Nak'azdli Whut'en, which is now one of the few Indigenous communities to have a significant equity position in a multi-million-dollar project, as pointed out by Chief Aileen Prince.

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