Naka Power and NTPC Launch Public Engagement on Long-Term Electricity Planning in the NWT
Naka Power Utilities (NWT) Ltd. (NAKA), together with the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC), and supported by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), has launched a territory wide public engagement initiative to help shape the Integrated Power System Plan (IPSP)—a major, multiyear planning effort led by the NWT Public Utilities Board (PUB).
The IPSP will serve as the long‑term roadmap for how electricity is generated, supplied, used, and managed across the Northwest Territories for the next 20+ years. It will assess future electricity needs, identify opportunities to expand renewable energy, plan sequencing of infrastructure investments, and find practical ways to reduce reliance on diesel while maintaining affordability and reliability for northern communities.
“As one of the utilities entrusted with powering communities across the Northwest Territories, Naka Power Utilities (NWT) is proud to contribute to this important work shaping the territory’s long‑term energy future. The Integrated Power System Plan gives all of us an opportunity to better understand future electricity needs, identify realistic pathways for more renewable energy, and plan the infrastructure required to ensure a reliable and resilient system. Through this engagement, we hope to better understand what matters most to residents and work together on practical approaches that support reliable, affordable power and a more sustainable energy future.” - Cathy MacDonald, CEO, Naka Power Utilities (NWT)
Why Public Input Matters
Electricity systems in the NWT are unique, with 27 isolated power grids serving 33 communities. Some communities are supplied mainly by hydro, while many others rely heavily on diesel or natural gas.
Under typical operating conditions, electricity generation across NWT communities is approximately:
72% Hydro
22% Diesel
5% Natural Gas
1% Intermittent Renewable Energy
Because no two communities are alike, long‑term energy planning must reflect diverse needs, priorities, and infrastructure realities. The IPSP engagement process enables Indigenous governments, community governments, businesses, non‑governmentorganizations, and residents to share what matters most to them as the NWT transitions its electricity system toward a lower‑emissions future.
Feedback gathered through engagement will directly support NAKA and NTPC as they prepare formal submissions for PUB Proceeding 2025‑04, which will guide regulatory oversight of long‑term electricity planning.
Built on Clear Territorial Policy Direction
The IPSP is a requirement under the 2025 GNWT Electricity Policy Direction, which issued 11 directives to the PUB to help modernize electricity regulation and planning in the territory. These directives include:
- advancing renewable energy generation,
- strengthening net metering and independent power producer programs,
- improving affordability protections for ratepayers, and
- mandating long‑term integrated power system planning.
These changes are intended to support the NWT’s transition toward a net‑zero emissions energy system by 2050, while ensuring the electricity system remains reliable and cost‑effective for residents.
How to Participate
NWT residents, organizations, and community representatives are invited to participate in several ways:
- Submit Written Feedback via the GNWT Have Your Say Portal.
- Engage with Community Leaders at the NWT Association of Communities Annual General Meeting held February 25-29, 2026, in Yellowknife.
- Join Direct Engagement Sessions with Indigenous governments, scheduled to take place throughout Spring 2026.
All input will help shape both near-term and long-term electricity planning across the NWT.
Looking Ahead
Naka Power Utilities (NWT) is committed to ensuring northern communities have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of electricity. The IPSP will undergo periodic updates to ensure planning reflects emerging technologies, evolving community priorities, and the realities of operating one of Canada’s most unique energy systems.