BRITISH COLUMBIA
Prince Rupert: Local Partners Team up to Pursue Renewables on Watson Island and Area

The City of Prince Rupert, Lax Kw'alaams, Metlakatla, and the City's Prince Rupert Legacy Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pattern Energy to pursue the development of local renewable energy in the region as a whole.

This agreement commits to looking at opportunities for potential economic benefit for the Coast Ts'msyen and the City, and explicitly recognizes their Aboriginal Rights and Title.

"Lax Kw'alaams Band is very excited about the opportunity to participate in this potential development and moreso to participate in the global green energy industry. We see huge potential in working with a leading energy producer like Pattern Energy."

The City, meanwhile, could see both potential taxation revenue as well as lease revenues if development moves forward on City lands.

 "This agreement is a commitment from local partners to grow and diversify our economy within a sustainable footprint, with equitable outcomes," said outgoing Mayor Lee Brain. "As a coastal community, Rupertites value our natural environment, so we want the industry we pursue to support those values going forward. Pattern is an industry leader in renewables, and we are extremely hopeful about all of the potential opportunities this development can bring for the North Coast."

With experience developing over 10 wind energy projects across Canada, Pattern energy is one of Canada's largest wind power operators and is a leader in renewables. The company is majority owned by the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board.

"Pattern Energy is excited to work with the City of Prince Rupert to unlock the enormous potential for a world-class green hydrogen facility at one of Canada's largest ports," said Frank Davis, AVP Green Hydrogen and Canada Country Head for Pattern Energy. "Green hydrogen is the new frontier that will lead the world's growing commitment to clean energy. Together with Metlakatla and Lax Kw'alaams First Nations, the City of Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert Legacy, BC Hydro, and the Province of British Columbia, we have the opportunity to create good-paying local jobs and enhance BC's economy. Pattern Energy is a Sustaining Partner with the First Nations Major Project Coalition, and supporting Metlakatla and Lax Kw'alaams First Nations is our priority because we are stronger together."

Now that the agreement is signed, the parties will be moving ahead with a Working Group to assess the particulars of how much and the type of energy needed to supply a hydrogen development, opportunities for mutual benefit, and how the North Coast can engage in the global green energy production and trade.

BACKGROUND

With its proximity to Asian markets, as well as road, rail and marine shipping accesses, Prince Rupert is ideally located to supply world markets with green hydrogen power. If developed, this industry would produce hydrogen through electrolysis on site using power generated from renewables. In addition, the Province of BC has expressed interest in supporting the development of clean energy infrastructure and renewable energy projects, with the recent creation of the Provincial BC Hydrogen Office -  explicitly tasked with supporting this type of future development.