TARQUTI ENERGY : 100 % INUIT-OWNED ENTERPRISE IS NOW IN MOTION FOR NUNAVIK CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release

Makivvik and the Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec (Ilagiisaq-FCNQ) announce the first actions of the new renewable energy company

Kuujjuaq, March 31^th, 2021 – The shareholders of Tarquti Energy (Tarquti), represented by their respective executive committees, met on March 24 in Kuujjuaq to discuss the start-up strategy, on-going and future activities of this new entity. Its mission is to carry out renewable energy projects in Nunavik and contribute to the carbon emissions’ reduction and actions on climate change. This unprecedented initiative is the result of collaboration between the region’s two main economic development organizations.

Makivvik and the Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec (Ilagiisaq-FCNQ) are pooling their expertise and resources for the benefit of the Nunavik energy transition. Their approach for the community projects is to develop, implement and operate them through solid and meaningful business partnerships with the concerned local entities, namely the landholding corporations and local cooperatives. The priority objective is to ensure that the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy remains an activity that is 100% owned and operated by collective, local and regional, Nunavik entities and to maximize the returns and benefits for the communities.

The first Tarquti projects implemented this year are in the area of analysis and research. Weather masts will be installed in five Nunavik communities to collect wind data relevant to the development of renewable energy. At the same time, Tarquti is collaborating with research centers, including Nergica and Hydro Québec, to assess the feasibility of clean energy solutions, like wind and solar power energy, in the region.

Sustainable development of Nunavik by and for Nunavimmiut

Currently, all the electricity consumed in Nunavik is produced by diesel generators, while the Quebec government’s Energy Policy 2030 has set the objective of reducing fossil fuel consumption by 40% in less than ten years. “Canada’s Arctic is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, the development of renewable energy in our region is an important step towards advancing climate resilience within our communities. Tarquti was created so that this transition can be made by and for the Inuit. Local and regional organizations, united and working together, we’re now moving forward” said Mr. Pita Aatami, President of Makivvik.

Tarquti’s goal is to ensure that projects are environmentally friendly and adapted to the needs of each community, while promoting job creation at the local and regional levels. Therefore, the true and solid partnership with Nunavik’s landholding corporations and cooperatives is at the heart of the business structure for the development, ownership and operation of local projects. “The energy transition is an important development opportunity. We want to make sure that communities are positively affected by this change and benefit from it, leaving none behind” insists Mrs. Mary Johannes, President of Ilagiisaq-FCNQ.

This initiative also intends to enable Nunavimmiut to make their place in tomorrow’s energy sectors by building a knowledge base and developing Inuit expertise in the field of renewable energy.

About Ilagiisaq-FCNQ –

Founded and managed by Nunavimmiut, Nunavik’s 14 cooperatives offer a multitude of services to the community: general store, hotel, cable television, gas station, fuel distribution, etc.

Created in 1967 to provide the Nunavik cooperative movement with effective means to ensure its growth, Ilagiisaq-FCNQ supports its member cooperatives through: purchasing, training, mechanical maintenance, technical and management support. It is also active in various economic sectors such as the marketing of Inuit art, energy and transportation.

Ilagiisaq’s subsidiaries include Nunavik Petro, Pétrole Schefferville, FCNQ Construction, Taqramut Transport, Transport Katinniq, Transport Padlayat, Voyages FCNQ, Piqutivut Rentals, Tarquti Energy and its limited partnership Pétroles Naskinnuk LP, located in Schefferville.

For an overview of the cooperative movement in Nunavik: https://www.facebook.com/455534244475061/videos/2618838078382271/
Or visit us at www.fcnq.ca

About Makivvik –

Makivvik is the land claims organization responsible for managing the heritage funds collected by the Inuit of Nunavik under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Makivvik’s role includes administering and investing these funds and promoting economic growth by helping to create businesses run by the Inuit of Nunavik. Makivvik promotes the preservation of Inuit culture and language as well as the health, well-being, poverty reduction and education of Inuit in the communities.

Makivvik’s subsidiaries include Air Inuit, Canadian North, Kautaq Construction, Nunavik Furs, Nunavik Geomatics, Halutik Enterprises, N.E.A.S., Unaaq Fisheries and Tarquti Energy.

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