First Nations, government and business officials, and local stakeholders gathered on Oct. 16 to celebrate the commissioning of the quA-ymn solar project, located 50 kilometres south of Kamloops in the District of Logan Lake.
The project is an initiative of the shQUAQUAsh Energy Limited Partnership, an entity created by the member communities of the Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council (NNTC) and BluEarth Renewables. It achieved its commercial operations date on June 19, on schedule and within budget.
NNTC began development work on the quA-ymn solar project in 2011, forming a partnership with BluEarth in 2019. It is located on 24 hectares (60 acres) of reclaimed land at Teck Highland Valley Copper Operations, between Ashcroft and Logan Lake, and has a 15 megawatt capacity.
It is the province’s first major commercial solar facility and largest solar installation to-date. A total of 39,000 solar panels will produce enough energy to power more than 2,400 homes annually for up to 40 years. Additionally, the facility will provide employment and other economic benefits for the region.
“This is an important project for the NNTC and our member communities and confirms for us that the disciplined and principled approach the NNTC has taken best protects Nlaka’pamux title and rights,” said Chief Matt Pasco, chair and title protector of the NNTC.
“We are sending a clear message together that after years of hard work in developing new, creative, recognition-based approaches to land and resource development, combined with deep and respectful relationships, that these are the foundations for how we make decisions together throughout the Nlaka’pamux homeland.
“No doubt, this project will help lead to new ways of doing business together, and lead to greater recognition, respect, and sustainable prosperity for all. NNTC’s vision for future renewables projects is to maximize Indigenous ownership, create long-term revenue streams for communities, and develop a hub for renewable in the province.”
“We are proud to have been invited to partner with NNTC and of what we have accomplished together with the quA-ymn solar facility,” said Shaun Wrubell, interim president and CEO, BluEarth Renewables. “We worked closely with NNTC through every stage of development, and we look forward to continuing our partnership on future projects.”
The quA-ymn solar facility is set to be joined by two other clean power projects located in the Highland Valley area between Ashcroft and Logan Lake, both of which were announced in December 2024.
The ShTSaQU solar project is a partnership between BluEarth Renewables and the Oregon Jack Creek Band, which will provide 104 megawatts of capacity. The Highland Valley wind project is a partnership between Capstone Infrastructure and the Ashcroft Indian Band, with a size (in megawatts) of 197.
Capstone is also partnering with the Lower Nicola Indian Band on the Mount Mabel Wind Project, which will have a project size of 143 megawatts and be located east of Highway 5 between Merritt and Lac Le Jeune.