2024 HE YEAR COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAROUGHTADER024 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Project of the Year 2024 not contributing to the carbon issue. We want to reduce our impact as much as possible,” Whelly said. The award-winning project involved the installation of bio-mass heating systems in two of the village’s main municipal infra-structure buildings, including a swimming pool and fitness center, which were connected to a district biomass heating plant run by the territorial government. Additionally, an entirely new system was set up for their water treatment plant. Whelly highlighted the collaborative efforts that made these ini-tiatives possible, particularly praising the Arctic Energy Alliance. “Because we are a small community... to gain the knowledge and the skills to be able to do this kind of project, we engaged quite a lot with Arctic Energy,” he said. The alliance assisted in hiring an energy champion and undertaking an energy plan, which were pivotal in seeing the project through to completion. This transition to biomass heating is not only a step towards environmental conservation but also a cost-effective solution for the community, he said. FROM INDUSTRIAL DECLINE TO BIOMASS BOOM: BELLEDUNE PORT’S SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION In the small, remote village of Fort Simpson, nestled at the conflu -ence of the McKenzie and Liard Rivers in the Northwest Territo-ries, an innovative approach to sustainable energy has revolution-ized their infrastructure — and earned them national recognition. The village was recently honored as the Winner of the 2024 Ca-nadian Biomass Project of the Year, a testament to their pioneering efforts in integrating biomass heating systems into their community. “Thank you to Canadian Biomass for recognizing the commu-nity of Fort Simpson,” said Mayor Sean Whelly in his acceptance speech. “We’re just a small community, but we’re certainly at the forefront of seeing climate change impact communities.” Fort Simpson, population 1,200, has witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of climate change, underscored by severe wildfires in the surrounding regions, he said. This has catalyzed a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship within the community. “We recognize the importance of using alternative energy and ARCTIC ENERGY ALLIANCE EARNS HONORABLE MENTION FOR PIONEERING COMMUNITY HEATING SOLUTIONS FORT SIMPSON: A BEACON FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY In the frostbitten reaches of the Northwest Territories, the Arc-tic Energy Alliance (AEA) is redefining community heating with sustainable solutions that have earned them an honorable mention at the 2024 Canadian Biomass Awards. The AEA’s Biomass Program has been an example of innova-tion and sustainability. Through comprehensive projects ranging from supporting existing systems to implementing new communi-ty-scale biomass heating solutions, AEA has become synonymous with renewable energy education and advocacy in the N.W.T. A crucial aspect of the program is its focus on the operational success of existing biomass systems. “Supporting these systems is essential,” said Michelle Leger, project coordinator at AEA. “It’s not just about building new infrastructures; it’s crucial to ensure that what is already built works well.” Collaboration lies at the heart of the Biomass Program. AEA works closely with various stakeholders including community governments, indigenous governments, and local businesses to conduct prefeasibility studies and set up community biomass dis-trict heating systems. “Our partnerships are designed to empower communities,” said Leger. “They are pivotal in transitioning from traditional fuel sources to biomass, which is not only more economical but also environmentally friendly.” New Brunswick’s Belledune Port Authority (BPA) has captured Honourable Mention for Community Project of the Year. The Port of Belledune, under the stewardship of president and CEO Denis Caron, has emerged as Eastern Canada’s premier exporter of biomass, recording a sixth consecutive year of growth in wood pellet volume. “This has been a journey of strategic foresight and robust part-nerships aimed at enhancing our capacity for climate-friendly energy sources,” Caron said. The port’s shipment volume soared from 223,948 tonnes in 2018 to a projected 510,000 tonnes in 2024, driven by $15 million in investments to expand terminal capacities and storage facilities. With its eye on the future, the port has not only increased its handling capabilities but also its resilience against global eco-nomic shifts. “Even during the global supply chain slowdowns brought by the pandemic, our focus on biomass helped sustain and grow our annual profits,” said Caron. The Port of Belledune’s success is closely tied to the global pivot away from fossil fuels, with much of its exported biomass destined for European power plants transitioning away from coal. Canadian BIOMASS 19
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