Tracking the transition to renewable electricity in remote indigenous communities in Canada

Diesel generated electricity in 144 Canadian remote indigenous communities is responsible for carbon emissions, spills, leakages, poor quality services, and potentially restricts community development. Introducing renewable electricity technologies (RETs) into community electrical systems could address both environmental and socioeconomic development issues. This paper identifies 71 RET projects developed in remote communities between 1980 and 2016 and uses the multi-level perspective (MLP) to examine the diffusion and governance processes influencing the transformation of these systems. The MLP framework explains the non-linear deployment of RETs through the shift from a utility driven phase focusing on hydroelectricity and small wind applications to a community driven phase concentrating on solar projects. Reasons for the development of projects in Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Ontario include community interest in participating in local electricity generation, learning processes facilitated by multiple experiments, and the existence of supporting regulatory and fiscal policies that were negotiated and adapted to indigenous sustainability visions. The MLP framework indicates that remote indigenous communities now reject the role of passive recipients of technologies promoted by non-aboriginal interests. Instead, active participation in transforming electrical systems is sought, based on local sustainability agendas which further their goals of economic development and self-governance. •An explanation for RETs deployment in remote indigenous communities is proposed.•RETs deployment is facilitated by learning processes through multiple experiments.•Reflexive governance allows for the establishment of new indigenous institutions.•The initial focus on hydro and wind is followed by a shift to solar projects.•The transformation of electrical systems is locally driven by sustainability agendas.