What is the Aboriginal Energy Partnerships Program?
This program facilitates participation by First Nation and Métis communities in renewable energy through:

• funding for Aboriginal Community Energy Plans;
• funding for upfront ‘soft costs’ of project development, such as feasibility studies, technical research and business cases through the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund; and
• the creation of the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Network, an evolving web-based information tool.  

What is an Aboriginal Community Energy Plan?
A Community Energy Plan is an interactive planning and implementation process for Aboriginal communities to identify electricity use, identify new resources and plan for future energy needs.  The Aboriginal Community Energy Plan Program provides funding to assist First Nations and Métis communities in Ontario in understanding and planning for their electricity needs. For more information about the program, click here.

What is the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Network?
The Aboriginal Renewable Energy Network is a web-based resource (www.aboriginalenergy.ca) relating to conservation and renewable energy development that will continue to evolve based on the needs and input from  First Nation and Métis communities in Ontario.  The design of the network has been driven by comments from Aboriginal community members involved in the energy sector as well as from the Aboriginal Advisory Committee.  

What is the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund?
The Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund assists with some of the initial project development costs associated with First Nation and Métis community renewable energy projects.  Included in the funding support are costs such as undertaking resource assessments, engineering studies, environmental and regulatory approval studies, business plan preparation and similar front end ‘soft’ costs. For more information about the program, click here.

What is the Aboriginal Advisory Committee? 
The OPA has established an Aboriginal Advisory Committee to provide advice and guidance on the ongoing evolution of the AEPP.  The Committee is comprised of eight members nominated by First Nation Political Territorial Organizations, the Métis Nation of Ontario and the OPA.    

Why did the Ontario Power Authority (‘OPA’) create this program?
The Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 authorizes the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure to direct the OPA to establish measures to facilitate the participation of Aboriginal peoples in the development of renewable energy generation facilities, transmission systems and distribution systems and such measures may include programs or funding for, or associated with, Aboriginal participation in the development of such facilities or systems. 

Did the OPA engage Aboriginal communities on the overall AEPP design?
The OPA engaged in an enhanced process of communication with First Nation and Métis communities throughout 2009, during 27 regional outreach sessions.  The OPA also had two meetings with small groups of First Nation and Métis economic development staff to refine ideas and program elements.  These engagements facilitated an ongoing dialogue between the OPA and Aboriginal communities, which has allowed for the sharing of information and feedback from communities with respect to the type(s) of support required to allow for their participation in renewable energy development and transmission.

Did the OPA engage Aboriginal communities specifically on the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund design?
In December 2009, the OPA released a Request for Information and accepted information and feedback until February 2010 from Aboriginal communities who had new renewable energy projects under development.  The information collected helped to shape the final program design by highlighting the levels of activities to be funded and the costs that Aboriginal communities would incur in developing renewable energy projects. 

Who can I contact for more information about the AEPP?
For inquiries about the AEPP, please contact us by telephone at 1-888-471-2377 or email us at AEPP@powerauthority.on.ca.

How many Aboriginal communities are currently involved in renewable projects?
We are encouraged by the OPA’s recent announcement that 16 Aboriginal projects are being offered FIT contracts.  While there are also a number of projects already in existence, we are excited for the opportunities unlocked by the Aboriginal Energy Partnerships Program and look forward to increased involvement by Aboriginal communities into the future.