A provincial environmental award is being given to the Fort Chipewyan Solar Farm.

Earlier this week, the Alberta Emerald Foundation handed out their annual ‘Emerald Awards’ which showcases projects that address local, regional, and global environmental and climate issues.

The solar farm, run by ATCO and Three Nations Energy, won under the energy category – beat out Virtuoso Energy which has created over 500 renewable energy projects and the city of Edmonton for their ‘Change Homes for Climate Residential Solar’ program.

“This outstanding project showcases how industry and Indigenous communities can and should work together to develop alternative renewable energy solutions that benefit communities and the environment,” read AEF’s description of the project.

Fort Chipewyan gets around 25 per cent of its energy from the project.

The solar system consists of roughly 5,700 panels and will replace the equivalent of 800,000 litres of diesel fuel.

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Métis Local 125 each own 33 per cent of the farm and have partnered to create Three Nations Energy.