Local Capacity for Energy Transition in Northern and Indigenous Communities: Analysis of Gwich’in Communities in Northwest Territories, Canada

Abstract

Introducing local renewable energy solutions into the fossil fuel – dominated energy mix of many northern and off-grid Indigenous communities has the potential to create new socio-economic opportunities and address historical energy injustices. However, energy systems are comprised not only of technology and infrastructure, but also the communities who generate, use, and benefit from energy. The design of community-appropriate local energy systems must thus be based on an understanding of, first, a community’s socio-technical capacity; second, the social processes that stimulate and sustain transition; and third, the longer-term, desired outcomes from local energy. This paper explores the socio-technical capacity for renewable energy transitions in northern and Indigenous communities based on a case study of four Gwich’in communities in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Results show that the foundational attributes of socio-technical capacity for energy transition in northern communities are interconnected, and strengths or challenges in one area often reflect strengths or challenges in another. Several positive community features, or “capacity strengths,” already exist to support energy transition. These include community energy values, which include a community vision; embedded and transferable community skillsets; and “next generation” leaders. In turn, capacity building is needed to provide supports for local energy champions and inter-local energy networks. Results also demonstrate that recent scholarly literature regarding local capacity for community energy does not tightly align with, or reflect the nuances of, energy transition needs in northern and Indigenous communities.