Through a community-led effort, Tetra Tech is supporting Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation (NNC) to advance a water power project that proposes reliable, locally-generated clean energy for Iqalungmiut and significantly reduces its reliance on imported diesel.
Iqaluit, Canada’s northernmost territorial capital, relies on imported diesel for electricity. NNC is pursuing a community-driven renewable energy solution that can strengthen energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support economic development, and prioritize Inuit needs and values.
Using our Leading with Science® approach, Tetra Tech’s multidisciplinary team is empowering Inuit in advancing Nunavut’s first water-powered electricity project. Tetra Tech has supported the project from early concept through renewable energy screening, site selection, and engineering development. Our team contributed to a comprehensive evaluation of multiple generation alternatives and potential sites to identify a solution that puts community priorities first while balancing technical, environmental, constructability, and economic considerations.
Tetra Tech is supporting NNC by combining deep expertise in water power and renewable energy development with geotechnical and Arctic engineering capabilities. Our proposed design addresses the challenges of developing major infrastructure in continuous permafrost, including remote access, limited construction seasons, and complex logistics.
Our team is now conducting geotechnical investigations and advanced modelling to better understand the challenging Arctic site conditions, reduce project uncertainties, and move the project through detailed engineering.
Benefits
- Supporting Inuit in economic self-determination and sustainable community development
- Replacing more than 56 GWh per year of diesel generation with renewable energy
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution
- Supporting more stable and predictable electricity prices
- Creating training and employment opportunities for Inuit and local businesses
Tetra Tech’s multidisciplinary team is empowering Inuit by supporting the advancement of Nunavut’s first waterpower project to clean-up Iqaluit’s grid
