What can microgrids deliver—and what will it take?
Eliminating 25 per cent of diesel generation in 106 diesel-dependent communities requires 84–116 MW of new renewable capacity.
Over 17 years, a wind/solar or pure solar scenario involves:
- Over $1 billion in investment
- 40 million litres of diesel saved annually
- 111,000 tonnes CO2e per year in avoided carbon emissions
- 4,400–5,900 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in project development and construction work between 2023 and 2025
- 960–1403 FTEs of labour demand between 2025 and 2050, and 38–56 FTEs annually.
Project eliminates 6 per cent of all diesel burned for heating and electricity in remote Canada
(tonnes CO2e)
Sources: The Conference Board of Canada; Pembina Institute.
Opportunities for microgrid deployment
We analyzed the opportunities for 106 communities—96 of which have a majority Indigenous population.

Note: Map projection differs from source. Dots are as close an approximation as possible.
Sources: Natural Resources Canada; The Conference Board of Canada.