"Band Negotiating Two More Energy Deals"

Six Nations Band Council is negotiating a renewable energy deal that could allow individual band members a chance to invest in the project.

Land resources consultant Phil Montour said the band is exploring the opportunity but it hinges on the community approving the deal.

The investment deal involves the 10-turbine, 25 Mw Gunn's Hill Wind Farm in Oxford County.

If the community agrees to having a 10 per cent equity in the project, community members will collectively own 49 per cent of that 10 per cent equity, while band council will retain 51 per cent ownership, said Prowind Vice-President Juan Anderson. Prowind is building the proposed project.

Prowind is capping the investment at $1.8 million for the entire community.

Investors will receive a 10 per cent return for the next 20 years, according to Anderson. If a community member invests $50,000, he or she could earn $5,000 a year for 20 years, for a total of $100,000, plus the original investment amount would be returned, said Anderson.

Monture said details on how much one could invest will be determined if the community says yes to the project. He said the band would make investment opportunities "fair and accessible" to everyone in the community.

"There would be a ceiling. It's not final yet. We don't really know if the people are going to want this or just royalties."

Band Council's Consultation and Accommodation Policy (CAP) team are holding community engagement sessions on the Gunn's Hill Wind Project, and the much smaller, four-turbine Port Ryerse wind project.

Prowind Canada consultant Randi Allen, says the investment deal is the first offer of its kind here.

"We're very excited about it." Anderson said they are willing to offer more than 10 per cent equity to Six Nations.

"If there's more interest we're willing to go higher," said Anderson.

Band Council is also seeking community input on another wind project.

Quebec-based company Boralex Inc. is proposing a four-turbine, 10 Mw wind farm on lands just east of Port Ryerse in Norfolk County on Lake Erie.

The Port Ryerse project offers an estimated financial benefit of $150,000 over 20 years (or $7,500 a year) and a mentorship program offering to train Six Nations to install its own, 500 Mw solar farm.

Monture said there may be an opportunity with Boralex to pursue joint venture developments of future non-contracted renewable energy projects along the Haldimand Tract, in which Six Nations would own up to 15 per cent of each project.