Finavera Wind Energy Inc. has reached a memorandum of understanding with the McLeod Lake Indian Band for the development of the company's four wind projects in the B.C. Peace region.
A signing ceremony will be held in the McLeod Lake Indian Band community later this month, the company said in a statement issued Tuesday.
"The McLeod Lake Indian Band is happy to support Finavera and the responsible energy they will be producing," McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief Derrick Orr said in the statement. "We look forward to the success of this project and to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Finavera."
The memorandum establishes the processes and sharing of benefits with the band for the Tumbler Ridge, Wildmare, Meikle, and Bullmoose wind projects.
Benefits to the band include training, employment, business opportunities and financial participation in the projects.
"We are extremely proud to enter into this partnership with the McLeod Lake Indian Band on the development of our wind projects in British Columbia," Finavera CEO Jason Bak said in the statement.
"Chief Derrick Orr has a strong vision for his community and we are thankful for their
support of Finavera and these projects. Together, we can provide opportunities and build a
legacy for future generations."
It's the second of five agreements Finerva hopes to conclude. It signed one with Halfway River First Nation in 2010 and discussions with West Moberly, Doig River and Saulteau first nations are currently in progress.
In all, the four projects are to deliver 300 megawatts of power - 45 from the Tumbler Ridge project, 77 from the Wildmare project, 117 from the Meikle project and 60 from the Bullmoose project.
