Yuquot becomes a hub of sustainable energy: How CalWave and MMFN’s wave energy project sets a new standard in indigenous-led clean energy initiatives

A California-based developer of wave energy technologies, CalWave, has been chosen as the technology provider for a wave energy project in Yuquot, British Columbia (BC), in collaboration with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (MMFN). The project is an indigenous-led initiative supported by funding from TD Bank Group and the Clean Energy in Rural and Remote Communities Program under Natural Resources Canada.

The MMFN’s primary focus is on reclaiming their land, reconstructing their community, and utilizing North Pacific waves to power their new microgrid. With the goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency, this project is a first in the field of wave energy for coastal community microgrids and has the potential to serve as a model for similar initiatives along the North American Pacific Coast and globally. The project is currently in its feasibility and design stage, gathering information to help the MMFN make informed decisions about full implementation.

Azar Kamran, CEO of the MMFN, shared the community’s vision for Yuquot as a hub of innovation in community building and clean energy development. With its rich history as a trade hub, Yuquot is now positioned to once again become a center of excellence, setting examples for sustainable practices and technological innovation.