Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund – LRP Support Funding Is Now Available

While most of us were dreaming of winter vacations, the OPA announced changes to the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund ("AREF") on December 19, 2014 to make interim funding available to First Nations and Métis communities for due diligence work required to assess and develop opportunities for participation in the Large Renewable Procurement ("LRP") program.

The latest program rules, guidelines and other materials have been posted and can be found here.

Under this program, First Nation or Métis communities can obtain funding via (a) The Organizational Development Stream – for independent legal costs of developing the corporate structure that will own a renewable energy project, (b) The Partnership Stream – to obtain professional third-party advice to assess the feasibility of a proposed partnership, or (c) The Development and Approvals Stream – for soft costs associated with developing a renewable energy project and obtaining the requisite regulatory