Trisha Shanks
Arrow Lakes News
Fosthall Creek has been selected as the site for a new hydroelectric project which will generate clean energy to be sold to BC Hydro.
The corporation behind this new development is Sorgent.e, an international group based in Italy that deals in renewable energy including hydroelectric and wind. Plans were announced earlier this month and all parties involved have signed an Impact Benefit Agreement.
“Splatsin, Sorgent.e and Fosthall have signed an agreement for the development, construction and operation of the power plant. Fosthall Creek Power is completing the last stage of development before construction,” read a press release prepared by Sorgent.e.
Fosthall is one of several small hydroelectric projects being launched in Canada and South
One of Sorgent.e’s missions is a commitment to working with First Nations and local communities. The Splatsin (anglicised to Spallumcheen) are the most southern tribe of the Shuswap Nation, whose aboriginal territory stretches from the B.C./Alberta border near the Yellowhead Pass to the plateau west of the Fraser River, southeast to the Arrow Lakes and to the upper reaches of the Columbia River.
During the signing, Kukpi7 Chief Wayne M. Christian stated, “In order to move away from government funding and to bring prosperity to our people, our vision is building long-term partnerships as the one we are signing today.” He added, “It is an honour to work with you to build the local economy.”
The idea to develop there started with Fosthall Creek Power Ltd. in 2001 and in 2013 they partnered with Sorgent.e Hydro Canada to begin the development of a proposed 15 megawatt run-of-river project located close to Nakusp, B.C..
Located on the shore of Upper Arrow Lake, the project has an environmentally friendly footprint that will include a spawning channel and a penstock that runs on an old log flume pathway.
Lucas de Haro, CEO of Sorgent.e Hydro Canada, emphasized the global and local spirit of Sorgent.e. “We are an international group that loves to become local where it works.”