Power for People
Power for People: Community Energy Northern BC builds on years of engagement with communities and First Nations across northern B.C. to support locally driven energy transformations.
The project works from three core beliefs: that energy can be a pathway to economic well-being, that communities deserve greater control over energy decisions, and that solutions must reflect northern geographies, histories and cultures.
To put these beliefs into action, the project supports two areas of work: building community capacity and advancing energy planning and policy. This includes peer-to-peer learning networks, skills and training, community dialogue, regional energy planning, and co-developed policy tools — all designed to strengthen local leadership and innovation.
The knowledge and resources developed through the project are designed to benefit northern B.C. communities and First Nations and to inform energy transformations in similar regions elsewhere.
Major Milestones
- Year 1: Partnership formalization, scoping, and baseline territorial energy economy analysis (2026)
- Year 1–2: Community and regional engagement expansion, including workshops, dialogues and development of Upper Skeena Regional Energy Working Group (2026–2027)
- Year 2–3: Identify sustainable peer-to-peer network governance, pilot training and skills initiatives, and community dialogue tools (2027–2028)
- Year 3–4: Co developed policy tools and briefs, regional energy economy and circular economy planning pilots, governance recommendations, and publication of open access case studies and tool kits (ongoing through 2029)
- Publication of community-based case studies and tools (ongoing)
People
Project Leads:
- Tamara Krawchenko, 糖心视频
- Sinead Earley, University of Northern British Columbia
- Kara Shaw, 糖心视频
- Rob van Adrichem, Community Energy Association
Key contributors:
- Jen Grebeldinger, Community Energy Association, Strategic Lead
- Aleah Jordan, Community Coordinator
- Joel Kurpa, Research Fellow
- Megan MacDonald, MA Researcher
- Sarah Chitsaz, PhD Researcher
- Jason Hicks, 糖心视频
- Justin Leifso, 糖心视频
- Andrew Rowe, 糖心视频
- Naoko Ellis, University of British Columbia
- Connor McGookin, University of British Columbia
- Corey Pembleton, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
- Ken Porter, Government of BC
Partners and Collaborators
Stories and Media
Publications and Commentary
Krawchenko, T., Jekill, N., Willard-Stepan, M. (2026). , The Transition Accelerator. May 7 2026.
Krawchenko, T. (2026). Times Colonist, Sept. 2, 2026.