Garden River First Nation enters partnership for major solar project

By Sam Laskaris

GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION – Evan Belleau is thrilled that his First Nation is set to become a major player in a significant project.

Belleau is the supervisor of capacity development for Garden River First Nation, located adjacent to Sault Ste. Marie, in Northern Ontario.

It was announced in mid-April that Garden River First Nation, in partnership with Neoen, a world leader in renewable energy, would have a 50 per cent equity partnership in what will be the province’s largest solar energy project.

The provincial Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) awarded the partnership a 20-year contract to construct a 200-megawatt solar facility.

“Construction is expected to begin as early as 2028 with a target and service date of 2030,” Belleau said.

The solar project will be selling power to the province’s energy grid.

“This puts Garden River in a great position to be a leader in renewable energy generation within the province,” Belleau said. “The project itself was labelled as the largest solar array to be built in the province. So, it means a lot of opportunities – revenue-generating opportunities for the Nation, career opportunities for the people of Garden River First Nation. And, just overall, I think it’s a positive project to get involved in.”

Belleau said Neoen officials had approached the First Nation in June of 2025 about a possible partnership and the business opportunity.

“We were approached by Neoen and told that they had interest in seeking to develop a solar project within the traditional territory,” he said. “Between my department, which is the community and economic resources department and the lands and resources department, we do our due diligence. And that includes stepping these meetings up and then including leadership involvement once it seems like talks are getting a little bit more serious or a little bit more intentional.”

The project is expected to greatly contribute to Ontario’s energy grid.

“Once constructed, the project will add more than 380,000 megawatts of emission-free energy to the grid, which is the annual equivalent of about 40,000 households in Ontario,” Belleau said.

It is yet to be determined, however, how much Garden River First Nation will benefit financially from the initiative.

“We still have community engagement we have to do,” Belleau said. “So, we’re not comfortable sharing the actual figure right now, until the stakeholders in Garden River are fully briefed on what they can expect, as far as benefits from the project.”

Belleau believes the project will also create numerous jobs for Garden River members.

Neoen expects about 200 career opportunities to be developed from the project.

“There will be jobs in the electrical, civil and mechanical, land management, maintenance, administration, and general labour fields,” Belleau said. “My job as supervisor of capacity development is to make sure I get as many people hired as possible from the First Nation. I plan on fulfilling my duties to the best of my ability.”

The solar farm will be located on Garden River lands, about 55 kilometres east of Sault Ste. Marie.

This won’t be the first time Garden River First Nation has been involved with solar projects.

The First Nation has 13 smaller-scale solar projects, constructed more than a decade ago on buildings in the community. Those deals were signed with the then-called Ontario Power Authority, which became the IESO.

“And those contracts run until about 2030, I do believe,” Belleau said.

Garden River First Nation Chief Karen Bell also speaks highly of the solar project.

“This 50 per cent equity partnership marks an important step in advancing Indigenous economic sovereignty and leadership in Canada’s energy sector,” she said. “For Garden River First Nation, this project represents more than energy production. It reflects our responsibility as Anishinaabe people to care for the land while creating meaningful opportunities for our community and future generations.”

Chief Bell also praised Neoen representatives.

“We commend Neoen for their commitment to working in true partnership and for recognizing the importance of Indigenous leadership in shaping the future of clean energy,” she said.