British Columbia-based wave energy technology developer CalWave has been selected as the technology provider for a groundbreaking wave energy project in Yuquot, in collaboration with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (MMFN). Funded by TD Bank Group and the Clean Energy in Rural and Remote Communities Program under Natural Resources Canada, the project is part of a larger effort to reclaim their land, rebuild their community and achieve energy self-sufficiency through the harnessing of North Pacific waves.
The MMFN is currently focusing on transforming Yuquot into a hub of innovation in community building and clean energy development. With support from various partners across Canada, including the Pacific Research Institute for Marine Energy Discovery (PRIMED), Barkley Project Group, Canpac Marine Services, and Environmental Dynamics, the project is currently in its feasibility and design stage. The goal of this pioneering initiative is to serve as a model for similar initiatives along the North American Pacific Coast and globally.
Azar Kamran, CEO of the MMFN, expressed his vision for Yuquot as a center of excellence for sustainable practices and technological innovation. The village’s rich history as a trade hub makes it poised to once again become a center of excellence, setting an example for other communities to follow.