Most of Nunavut's power plants need replacing, says Qulliq Energy Corporation

The QulliqEnergy Corporation says Pangnirtung'spower plant that was destroyedby fire last year is at the top of its replacement list along with theaging plantsin CapeDorset,GriseFiord andCambridge Bay.

Insurance will cover the cost of replacing Pangnirtung's plant. The othersfallon QEC.

"Replacement for those ones would have to go through our board because it is ultimately the ratepayer who pays for the power plant," saidJamieFlaherty, acting president of QEC.

"QEC, we don't get funding from the government, it's through our rate base, so we are trying to build at least one a year."

QEC saysplants inTaloyoakandQikiqtarjuaqare currently being constructed, while plans for the other four mentioned are under way.

QEC says, in total, 17communities arein desperate need of new energy infrastructure.

Iqaluit'spower plant is QEC'smost efficient and up-to-date facility, butcity officials say it's an unsustainable situation. Like every community inNunavut, itremains completely dependent on diesel-powered generators for its electricity.

"While we have upgraded our power plant it is very expensive, not sustainable," said MayorMadeleineRedfern.

"It's subject to the fluctuations of fuel prices in the world and it's not the most environmentally-friendly approach."

Flahertysays QEC is exploring alternative energy options. It just received $100,000from Ottawafor a wind power feasibility study and it is planning to install some solar panels.

"We are doing mapping across the territory on wind mapping," he said.

"We are also doing a study on solar that we just started and we are also doing studies on different kinds of lighting and how much we could cut down on costs and diesel."

Flaherty said the wind feasibility study should be completed by the end of March.

He said QEC'sIqaluithydroelectric project remains on hold because of a lack of funding from both thefederal and Nunavut governments.