Ulkatcho Energy Corporation breaks ground on largest community off-grid solar project in Canada

Anahim Lake, British Columbia – A new solar energy project will provide the Ulkatcho First Nation with clean energy after a combined investment of $15,841,000 from the federal and provincial governments.

Located in Anahim Lake in Central British Columbia (B.C.), Canada, the Ulkatcho First Nation’s power is currently 100% diesel generated. After technical studies and a business case were completed, it was determined that solar power was the best alternative energy solution for the community.

The Anahim Lake Solar Project — 100% owned by the Ulkatcho Energy Corporation (UEC), a member of Ulkatcho First Nation’s Ulkatcho Group of Companies — will reduce the use of diesel by 64% in this remote community and significantly reduce carbon emissions in the region. This unique project is also a first-of-its-kind initiative in the province of B.C. with a Community Electricity Purchase Agreement in place between UEC and BC Hydro.

With the groundbreaking ceremony happening on June 11, 2025, UEC and BC Hydro are now constructing a hybrid renewable energy system, combining solar power, battery storage, and diesel back-up to provide reliable, clean electricity and reduce the community’s dependence on diesel fuel. Hatch, as the engineering consultant, completed the solar design for Ulkatcho Energy Corporation.

This initiative will encompass the development of essential infrastructure such as a solar control building, access roads and walkways, along with fire mitigation measures, security systems, and appropriate signage for the new plant. In a collaborative effort, BC Hydro will procure the generated solar power under a Community Electricity Purchase Agreement. This energy will be seamlessly incorporated into the local microgrid using a line interconnection coupled with a battery storage system, ultimately delivering clean energy to the community.

Stephen James, CEO, Ulkatcho Group of Companies
“This solar project in Anahim Lake marks a new path for the Ulkatcho First Nation, creating significant lasting environmental and economic benefits. We look forward to the future opportunities that this project will help create – and value the strong partnerships that we have developed with both the public and private sectors in this process.”

Al-Nashir Jamal, Chairman of the Board, Ulkatcho Group of Companies
“As Canada strives towards its commitments to mitigate the effects of Climate Change, the Ulkatcho Energy Corporation sees this as an excellent opportunity - not only to diversify the activities of the Ulkatcho Group of Companies, but also to play a critical role in ultimately displacing the use of diesel and generating clean electricity for the Community. The Anahim Lake Solar Project is truly a model of meaningful Public-Private-Community Partnerships for today’s much-needed sustainable resource development across Canada, with Muli-Inputs Area Development, through Blended Financing.”

Mark Mitchell, Global Lead, Distribution & Smart Grid, Hatch
“Hatch is proud to be a partner with Ulkatcho Energy Corporation on this project. It truly demonstrates what can be achieved with collaboration between remote first nations communities, public utilities, and private partners. We have been involved since the early conceptual phases in 2020, and we’re honored to have been part of the groundbreaking. This project exemplifies our Hatch guiding principle of solving the world's toughest challenges—on this project we are pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished in off-grid microgrids.”

For more information, please contact:

Lindsay Janca
Global Director, Public Relations
Tel: +1 905 403 4199
Email: media@hatch.com

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