Energy poses a significant challenge and opportunity in the north. Energy projects hold potential for local self-determination in community development through socio-economic opportunities. A better quality of life for northerners can be achieved through a sustainable supply of energy through renewables generation, heating options, and energy efficiency initiatives. New policies and opportunities are supporting the changing northern energy landscape, which have ancillary benefits and impacts pertaining to Indigenous governance, social determinants of health, climate change, infrastructure, natural resource extraction, and supporting a local economy. This session presents ideas, experience, barriers, policy, lessons learned, and success stories in the development of energy projects through both the supply and demand sides. The scope addresses all lenses of social, technical, economic, environmental, and/or policy dimensions of energy opportunities and their potential risks as a driver of change in the North.

Michael Ross, Alexandra Mallett