Kwadacha Nation is an off-grid community in Fort Ware, 570km north of Prince George, BC at the confluence of the Fox, the Kwadacha, and Finlay rivers in the Rocky Mountain Trench.
https://goo.gl/maps/3iDMnfg7mudmAh818
Given its remote location, condition of the surrounding roads and winter conditions for long parts of the year, this community is mostly accessed from Prince George by air. The nation has a total population of 560 people, 302 live on reserve and 258 live off reserve. Kwadacha Nation has 110 private households.
Useful energy info:
Due to its remote location, the community has traditionally relied on costly diesel generators to provide electricity, and propane for heat. In April 2017, the Nation installed a wood gasification biomass system that is used to provide power to the local school and greenhouse. Each of the three units independently produces 45 kW of electricity and 108 kW of heat in the form of hot water. BC Hydro has a 20-year Electricity Purchase agreement with Kwadacha and capital funding for the project was subsidized by a number of provincial and federal sources.
(Note: Tsay Keh Dene is located approximately 2 hours drive south of Kwadacha and the communities strong historical and cultural ties to each other. Both Nations have a complicated relationship with BC Hydro following the flooding of rivers in their territories to develop the WA Bennett Dam in the 1960s. BC Hydro provides funding for some projects that Community Power delivers to these Nations, including the YEMP and other energy mentorship programs, in an effort to improve relations with these communities.)
Vision – as per Kwadacha Housing Policy
Kwadacha Nation will maintain our culture and language within our traditional lands with an emphasis on the stewardship of our people, the environment and our relationships in the community and beyond.
Values and Goals (as articulated by CP and Kwadacha, in no particular order)
#1. Reducing energy costs for community (Community Members pay own BC Hydro bills)
#2. Capacity building and job opportunities. (biomass plant that provides 5 jobs)
#3. Strong vision of self-sustainability, energy self-reliance and reducing diesel dependence
#4. Improve quality of community homes and buildings
Since 2012, Kwadacha has been actively working with Community Power to reduce fossil fuel reliance, make energy more affordable for community members and improve the quality of community homes and buildings. Kwadacha is one of Community Power’s strongest and longest-held community partnerships.