New program being created to help northern First Nations households with high power bills

A new initiative to help curb high power bills is being made available to First Nations people living in northern Saskatchewan.

SaskPower is creating the Northern First Nations Home Retrofit Program, which aims to upgrade people’s homes in an attempt to save energy and money.

This could include upgrading insulation, insulating pipes and installing LED lights.

“Energy-efficiency upgrades to your home can be expensive, especially for customers in remote northern communities,” Don
Morgan, the minister responsible for SaskPower, said in a release.

“With northern homes typically being heated via electric heat, increasing efficiency is critical to reducing power bills. This program is designed to help by improving access to more energy-efficient techniques and technologies in remote communities.”

Those who live in a First Nation in the northern part of the province and use electric heat as their primary heating source are eligible.

Those who take part will be visited by an energy efficiency adviser, who will speak to them about their energy use and identify what upgrades will make the most impact on their consumption and bills. The adviser will also provide one-on-one energy coaching.

SaskPower anticipates the program to cost around $3.77 million. The Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund is expected to cover 75 per cent of the costs.

It will be available until March 31, 2024.

By Jaryn Vecchio, paNOW