Renewables in Remote Communities - 2017 Conference Proceedings

Our work with Indigenous communities is driven by our belief that improving the quality of life in communities is necessary and possible, and that advancing clean energy and supporting the leadership of Indigenous communities in their own clean energy transition has tremendous health, environmental, social, economic and community benefits to everyone. [...] Experience with Green Banks and the Alaska Renewable Energy Fund were Pembina Institute Renewables in Remote Communities 2017 Conference Proceedings | 9 brought to the conference to give insight into how public funding could be used to begin the process of drawing investor attention and equity to the North. [...] They require a richer understanding and convergence of not just the definition of avoided cost of diesel, but also the marginal cost of diesel, the world of hidden subsidies that suppress the real economic cost of diesel reliance, and the need to stretch beyond limiting economic decision-making principles and instead encompass the socio-economic benefits that arise when partnering with Indigenous. [...] The memorandum of understanding describes the joint objectives for the project and outlines the roles and responsibilities of each party involved. [...] • The ability to design the funding and limit the reporting requirements can increase the effectiveness and positive impact of the money invested.