Strategies and Reporting

Our efforts are guided by an Energy Strategy, which outlines long-term goals for energy conservation, local renewables, and large-scale projects. This Strategy aligns the Energy Division work with the Climate Change Strategic Framework.

Every 3 years, an Action Plan is created to give details on how to achieve the goals and initiatives of the Strategy. Each year an Annual Report outlines the progress and achievements of energy initiatives made to date.

Energy Strategy

The 2030 Energy Strategy sets the GNWT’s long-term plan for secure, affordable, and sustainable energy that reduces reliance on fossil fuels while promoting economic, social, and environmental well-being in the NWT. Developed through public engagement, the Strategy aligns with the Climate Change Strategic Framework, aiming to reach the NWT’s 2030 emissions reduction goals.

Strategic Objectives:

  1. Community Engagement and Empowerment: Partner with communities to find energy solutions.
  2. Electricity Emissions: Reduce GHG emissions from diesel-powered electricity by 25%.
  3. Transportation Emissions: Reduce per capita GHG emissions from road vehicles by 10%.
  4. Renewable Heating: Increase renewable energy use to 40% for space heating.
  5. Energy Efficiency: Improve energy efficiency in buildings by 15%.
  6. Long-Term Vision: Develop the NWT’s energy potential, address industrial emissions, and meet national climate goals.

In 2023, the GNWT launched a review of the 2030 Energy Strategy, gathering feedback through public input and a multilateral dialogue involving 148 representatives from Indigenous governments, youth councils, NGOs, utilities, industry, and government partners. Key takeaways, summarized in the report Our Energy and Climate Future in a Changing World, include:

  1. Consider increasing the 2030 emissions reduction target and setting a long-term target for beyond 2030.
  2. Define clear roles for all parties, with Indigenous governments more involved in decision-making.
  3. Prioritize economy and affordability.
  4. Collaborate on planning, regulatory, and policy tools for transitioning the NWT’s energy system.
  5. Focus on proven technologies.

In response, the GNWT committed to a new net zero GHG emissions goal by 2050. A draft energy roadmap, incorporating this feedback and aiming to further the NWT’s energy and climate future, will be shared in 2025-2026, with a finalized strategy by year-end. This updated roadmap will help ensure Northerners have ongoing access to secure, affordable, and sustainable energy in a healthy environment.

Resources:

Energy Action Plans

Every 3 years a new plan is released outlining the actions planned to accomplish the goals in the long-term strategy. The current plan was released in December 2022 and has set out 68 actions and initiatives to be implemented by 2025. This represents $194 million in investments.

Activities under the action plan include:

  • Grants and incentives to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.
  • Support for communities to develop clean energy projects.
  • Continuation of major energy infrastructure projects.

Resources:

Annual Energy Initiatives Report

This annual report provides a high-level review of the GNWT and its partners key energy actions and initiatives undertaken over the past fiscal year that were outlined in the Energy Action Plan.

Highlights from the 2021-2022 report include:

  • Enhancing community energy planning and infrastructure upgrades, emphasizing hydroelectric facilities and remote diesel-powered grids.
  • Incentives for electric vehicle adoption to reduce transportation related GHG emissions.
  • Updates on energy conservation programs including milestones from Artic Energy Alliance’s initiatives, the GNWT’s GHG Grant Program and the Capital Asset Retrofit Fund (CARF).
  • Progress on exploring emerging technologies suited for northern conditions.
  • Policy efforts to maintain energy reliability and affordability, enhance community engagement, and address climate change issues.

Modelling from these initiatives will guide a thorough review of the 2030 Energy Strategy, setting the course for future actions.

 

Updated: Sep 17, 2025