TORONTO – The 2024 intake window for the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) is now open and will run until Aug. 30.
The IESO is providing up to $15 million for Indigenous energy planning, infrastructure development and education to support Indigenous leadership in the energy sector.
Indigenous communities are eligible to apply for funding under one, or all, of the following streams:
- Capacity Building, such as professional training, community engagement, youth and elder workshops and the hiring of a Community Energy Champion to help identify, plan and implement energy-related priorities for their community.
- Economic Development projects, such as renewable installations, transmission projects, storage installations, sector partnerships and capital projects.
- Energy Resilience and Monitoring activities, such as energy planning, project monitoring, impact assessments and energy auditing.
The Indigenous Energy Support Program is an important foundational step towards the longer-term goal of achieving fair, equitable and inclusive participation in the electricity sector, states a release. This is especially important as the pace of Ontario’s energy transformation accelerates and First Nations and Métis communities become partners.
“The Indigenous Energy Support Program has been very beneficial to our community,” said Chief R. Donald Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte in a statement. “With this funding, our Community Energy Team will be able to develop the skills they need to build and maintain our renewable energy assets. We will also be able to hire a Community Energy Champion to lead projects that will strengthen our energy resilience, reduce costs for our members and create economic opportunities for future generations.”
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