About Us
Our Vision
Our goal is for Nunavut to achieve energy sovereignty and independence, running on 100% majority-Inuit-owned renewable power sourced from local water, wind, and sun. In this vision, Nunavummiut no longer depend on diesel and are creating a future that supports traditional ways of life; healthy, resilient communities rooted in Inuit success; and, a smaller impact on the land.
Our Mission
We aim to lead the clean energy transition in partnership with communities across the Qikiqtani Region, by building projects that minimize diesel reliance and bring economic, social, and environmental benefits to Inuit.
Our Story
Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation (NNC) pursues clean energy projects across the Qikiqtani Region. We partner with Qikiqtani communities to invest in, own, and operate local renewable energy systems. We are proud to be Nunavut’s first 100% Inuit-owned clean energy developer. We are uniquely positioned to understand the needs and sensitivities of renewable energy development in Nunavut. We play a central role in promoting, developing, and realizing Inuit-owned and -operated clean energy technologies and energy storage systems.
NNC has secured tens of millions of dollars in funding from the Government of Canada for community-scale renewable energy projects in Sanikiluaq, Iqaluit, Kinngait, Qausuittuq, and Sanirajak, just to start. The company and its projects continue to grow, with a dedicated commitment to free, prior, informed consent from Inuit. NNC will always be grateful to the vision and courage of Sanikiluarmiut, who set us on this path.
Sanikiluaq chooses renewable energy
Harry Flaherty (NNC’s President and CEO) visited Sanikiluaq on a tour of the Qikiqtani Region. In every community, he asked, “What do Inuit need? What do you want Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) to be doing?”
Sanikluarmiut answered: “We want renewable energy. Everyone knows the wind is strong in Sanikiluaq. We should harness it to make electricity, instead of relying on diesel generators. That way, we can stop the pollution that comes from burning diesel, and do our part to protect the land from climate change.”
Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation is created
Harry went back to Iqaluit and talked it over with the QC Board of Directors. Elders like Ludy Pudluk and Moses Appaqaq agreed with the vision of Sanikiluarmiut to develop Inuit-led climate action through renewable energy. They created a new wholly-owned subsidiary under QC—Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation (NNC).
Nukkiksautiit means power in Inuktitut. The water, wind, and sun are strong local resources. “What if we could bring the clean energy transition across the Qikiqtani Region?” thought Harry. It would be cheaper, gentler on the land and water, keep more money in Nunavut, get rid of the need for diesel subsidies from the government of Nunavut, bring jobs and profit-sharing to Inuit, and be controlled by Inuit. It was a dream worth pursuing. Sheldon Nimchuk (Director of Project Management for the Qikiqtaaluk Business Development Corp.), led the charge of starting projects and securing funding. He believed in Harry’s dream, and laid a strong foundation on which the company could grow.
Building Momentum
It came time to bring in experience from renewable energy development down south. These kinds of projects had never before been developed in Nunavut, so NNC had to find people who could bring those skills Northward. They hired an experienced Director, who then created important partnerships with contractors who could help manage and build projects. The word started to spread across the Arctic and southern Canada on what NNC was trying to do.
Exploring the Qikiqtani Region’s renewable resources
The Iqaluit Water Power Project (initiated by Qulliq Energy Corporation many years ago) needed a driver. NNC was invited to look at the opportunity with fresh eyes and lead the project in collaboration with QIA. To get a better understanding of renewable resources across the Qiqiktani region, NNC also did regional solar and tidal energy studies. They made models for rooftop solar projects in all 13 communities, which were shared with all Hamlet councils. And for five communities where tidal energy was expected to be strong (Resolute, Sanirajak, Iglulik, Kinngait, and Kimmirut), field work was done to collect tidal data.
First rooftop solar project completed and three community projects begin
More help was needed with management, advocacy, community engagement, and long-term strategy. The team grew, and together, they started community-scale projects in Kinngait, Qausuittuq and Sanirajak. NNC’s first building-scale project was completed—energy efficiency renovations and a solar array on the roof of Nunavut Arctic College’s student residence in Iqaluit. The team successfully advocated for the creation of new government policies, so it would be possible to sell renewable energy to QEC.
Construction begins in Sanikiluaq and Iqalungmiut vote on a renewable energy solution
Construction started on NNC’s very first community-scale project: The Anuriqjuqk Nukkiksautiit Project in Sanikiluaq. The very first wind and battery energy project in Nunavut. Construction also began on a rooftop solar project for the Aqsarniit Hotel in Iqaluit. NNC started to make a shift towards in-house project management to make sure that local, Inuit interests were prioritized in the development process. The NNC team hosted a vote in Iqaluit, the first of its kind, empowering community members to choose which technology and site they preferred for their renewable energy project.
NNC signs Nunavut’s first energy purchase agreement with Qulliq Energy Corporation
Votes were held in Kinngait, Qausuittuq, and Sanirajak, empowering Inuit in those communities to choose which technologies they wanted to build. In an historic moment for Nunavut—Harry Flaherty, NNC’s President and CEO, signed the territory’s first energy purchase agreement with the CEO of Qulliq Energy Corporation. This marked the real beginning, in commercial and legal terms, of the clean energy transition in the Qikiqtani region.
Nunavut’s first generation of Inuit renewable energy technicians begin training
A 1MW wind turbine was shipped to Sanikiluaq from the Netherlands, and a group of young Sanikiluarmiut travelled to Gaspe, Quebec, to begin wind turbine technician training. The Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Project was named to the Government of Canada’s Nation-Building Projects list, earning national recognition as an important part of Arctic sovereignty and economic reconciliation with Inuit.