Batchewana First Nation, ON – September 16, 2024 – BluEarth Renewables (“BluEarth”) and Batchewana First Nation (“BFN”) announced today they have closed an agreement that will see BFN acquire BluEarth’s 50 per cent ownership in the Bow Lake Wind Facility (“Bow Lake” or “the Facility”). The Facility is owned by the Nodin Kitagan Limited Partnerships, which was a partnership between BFN and BluEarth.
Under this new ownership structure, BFN have signed agreements with BluEarth, whereby BluEarth and its affiliates will continue to oversee the operation of the Facility, including turbine maintenance, balance of plant maintenance and 24/7 remote operations, as well as provide management services.
Bow Lake is a 58.3 MW wind facility located in Algoma district, close to the eastern edge of Lake Superior and south of the Montreal River. The Facility first achieved commercial operations in 2015, and at the time of commissioning set the precedent as one of the largest economic partnerships between a First Nation and a wind energy developer in Canada.
“Since the onset of commercial operations, it was always the intention of our First Nation to acquire 100% ownership of the Facility. I am thrilled that we have achieved this and want our members to understand that this decision was based on a business and assertion strategy to advance our Nation. It is paramount that BFN manages all of the lands and resources in our vast territory with the intent of becoming a self-sufficient First Nation as well as upholding our original responsibilities as Anishinabe people,” said Chief Mark McCoy, Batchewana First Nation.
“We have great respect for the Batchewana First Nation and the successful partnership we have built together over more than a decade,” said Grant Arnold, President and CEO, BluEarth Renewables. “We look forward to continuing to work with the BFN under this new ownership structure and providing ongoing operational support and expertise.”
To facilitate the transaction, BFN secured financing through the First Nations Finance Authority.
About Batchewana First Nation
Batchewana First Nation is located on the north-eastern shore of Lake Superior adjacent to the city of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. The First Nation is comprised of four land bases: Rankin, Goulais Bay, Obadjiwan, and Whitefish Island.
For more information:
Alex Syrette
Communications Manager
Batchewana First Nation
(705) 255-8407
alex@batchewana.ca
About BluEarth Renewables
BluEarth Renewables brings together extraordinary people with the power to change the future™ by delivering renewable energy to the power grid every day. We are a leading, independent, power producer that acquires, develops, builds, owns and operates wind, hydro, solar and storage facilities across North America. Our portfolio includes over 1 GWAC (gross) in operation, under construction and contracted pre-construction, and over 8 GW of high-quality development projects that are actively being advanced. For more information, visit bluearthrenewables.com.
For more information:
Erin Jenken
Manager, Communications
BluEarth Renewables
(587) 324-4238
media@bluearth.ca