The Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (MMFN), an Indigenous community in Yuquot, British Columbia (BC), has selected California-based wave energy technology developer CalWave as the technology provider for a groundbreaking wave energy project. Funded by TD Bank Group and the Clean Energy in Rural and Remote Communities Program by Natural Resources Canada, the project aims to help the MMFN reclaim their land, rebuild their community, and become energy self-sufficient through harnessing the energy from North Pacific waves.
The project involves a consortium of partners from across Canada, including Pacific Research Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED), Barkley Project Group, Canpac Marine Services, and Environmental Dynamics. The goal of the project is to gather information during the feasibility and design phase to help the MMFN make an informed decision on whether to move forward with full project implementation.
The wave energy project at Yuquot could potentially serve as a model for similar projects along the North American Pacific Coast and globally. With its vision of establishing Yuquot as a center for innovation in community building and clean energy development, Azar Kamran, CEO of MMFN highlighted the historical significance of Yuquot as a trade hub. The project represents an exciting step towards sustainable energy solutions for Indigenous communities and beyond.
