Powering Sustainability Through Strategic Partnerships

Renewable Energy for Community Growth

In 2026, BNA continued its district heating project as part of the community’s ongoing development. BNA has been retrofitting all of its existing on-reserve homes so they can connect to a new biomass heating system. At the same time, BNA is advancing the construction of the biomass plant.

The plant will use residual lumber from BNA’s Papasay Sawmill to provide a renewable source of heat for community homes. BNA has received support from Natural Resources Canada and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

Own-Source Revenue Driving Long-Term Sustainability

As with other major infrastructure projects, rising costs and unexpected expenses can place added pressure on the community. Own-source revenues from the Papasay Bee-Clean partnership allow BNA to respond when funding does not cover the full cost of a project, ensuring that important infrastructure initiatives like the biomass plant can continue moving forward.

Construction of the biomass plant is expected to continue later this year. Once completed, this project will help the First Nation meet its sustainability goals by providing net-zero heating for the community and reducing long-term reliance on conventional energy sources.