A major solar farm is one step closer to becoming a reality in the Nicola Valley, after the membership of the Upper Nicola Band voted in favour of designating 400 acres of reserve land for development.
But there are still hurdles to clear before the project is a definite go, explained Peter Hilton, a senior executive with the Upper Nicola Band.
Band members vote overwhelmingly in favour of the land designation, with 172 of 186 votes cast in favour of opening the land to development, which would allow the band’s development corporation to enter into a 99-year lease agreement on the parcel to construct the project.
Asked what prompted such a landslide, Hilton said there are many aspects of the project which appeal to the band membership.
“It’s going to be on reserve, it’s going to produce jobs, it’s going to be a lot of pride for the community,” he said. “People see the benefits and would like to see it move ahead if we can.“
He also credited the Upper Nicola administration with a well-run information process which engaged many members of the band.
While the land designation was an important step in the process towards building the solar farm — slated to occupy 200-acres of the designated parcel — there are more steps to clear before shovels can hit the ground, said Hilton.
A device called a pyranometer has been installed on the land since last fall. The device collects data on the level of solar irradiance on a given site, which helps inform power generation projections for FortisBC.
“We have to make sure we have the resource we think we do, and at the moment, we’re still good,” said Hilton.
Referendum results from April 16, courtesy of the Upper Nicola Band. (Facebook).
Once the site’s solar potential has been confirmed, the band will have to negotiate on a final price with BC Hydro, as the power generated will be sold back to the Crown corporation.
“We have a commitment from BC Hydro that they’re going to buy the energy from us, but we have to negotiate the final price,” said Hilton. “Of course it has to be high enough for us to build the project and for us to make a profit.”
He expects the band to make a final investment decision on the $30 million project in November or December.
The referendum’s results produced a wave of emotions for Upper Nicola Chief Harvey McLeod.
“This community is moving forward and really looking for opportunities with our people, and at the same time, walking the talk of clean energy and green energy,” said McLeod. He added that the referendum was the culmination of a project which was first started by the band more than a decade ago.
There was special significance to the timing of the decision, said McLeod, who noted that the band is pursuing a clean energy project while a debate over the Kinder Morgan pipeline rages at the provincial and federal level.
The chief took a moment during a ceremony on Monday to reflect on the proximity of the proposed solar farm, and the existing Trans Mountain pipeline.
“Standing there, and looking at the land, and looking across the lake to where the pipeline is, I was saying, ‘How significant is that?’” said McLeod. “On our reserve we are introducing sources of energy that are 21st century and I’m looking across the lake and I’m looking at 19th century sources of energy.”
Once complete, the solar farm would comprise of 56,000 solar panels on 200 acres of land on the band’s Quilchena reserve near Nicola Lake. Since the parcel designated by the band is 400 acres total, another 200 acres will be reserved for future developments, explained Teri Clayton, land manager for the Upper Nicola Band.
Of 790 eligible voters, 186 ballots were cast in the referendum on April 16. 172 voted in favour of the referendum, while 12 voted against. Two ballots were rejected.
In comparison, 282 ballots were cast in the band’s election for chief and council on March 19, 2017.
