Raglan Wind Farm | Clean Energy with Indigenous Consultation

Sustainable energy transition in Nunavik: Respecting Inuit knowledge

“A village elder used to tell me that the most important thing is to take care of your hooks and traps.” These words, shared by an Inuit community member during a public consultation conducted by WSP, illustrate the Inuit’s deep and unshakeable bond with their territory, whether on water or on land.

Inuit communities draw their resilience from Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, a rich and complex knowledge system encompassing the environment, humans and all living things. This ancestral knowledge includes not only an intimate understanding of nature, but also practical skills such as hunting, fishing and sewing, as well as fundamental values like respect, mutual aid and cooperation.

Given that Northern Quebec is at once vulnerable to climate change and a driving force for innovation, this wind power project at the Raglan Mine site makes perfect sense. With the potential addition of up to 12 wind turbines for a total of 42 MW of clean energy, the wind farm, if approved by the authorities, should enable Raglan Mine to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 42%. WSP supported the community consultation process, contributing to an open and constructive dialogue around the project.

Location

Nunavik, Québec, Canada

Client

Raglan Mine

Project status

Complete

This wind turbine is located near the Katinniq mining complex.

Wind farm challenges in Nunavik: From vision to community action

Nunavik’s Arctic climate and remoteness pose complex logistical challenges. But another issue is just as crucial: how to ensure that Inuit communities are fully involved, that their voices are heard, and that environmental impact is minimized?

That’s where we come in. Commissioned by Raglan Mine, part of the Glencore group, we worked together to build and adopt an inclusive, transparent approach combining ongoing dialogue and immersive digital tools.

Indigenous communities hold living knowledge. We are not its holders, and never will be. Instead, our expertise lies in relationships, rooted in humility and supported by technology.

Laurence Lépine Senior Community Relations Specialist, WSP in Canada

Laurence Lépine Senior Community Relations Specialist, WSP in Canada

Digital solutions and innovation: Shaping the future of Nunavik’s wind farm

At a time when technological innovation is revolutionizing the way we communicate, we’ve implemented innovative ways of making local voices heard. Virtual modelling enabled communities to see a simulation of the wind farm’s impact on their territory, well before construction begins.

These tools are not just for show; they’re based on real technical data. They democratize information and promote informed dialogue.

Jean-Frédérick Duquette Manager, Simulation and Virtualization, WSP in Canada

Jean-Frédérick Duquette Manager, Simulation and Virtualization, WSP in Canada

Visualization tools, including videos, interactive maps and 3D prints of the wind turbines were also used to explain the project. In addition, to ensure optimum comprehension, most of the materials were translated into or presented in Inuktitut. This enabled Nunavummiut to look into the future, assess how the wind farm would integrate into their environment, and ask questions freely. Thanks to these immersive tools helping to foster a truly collaborative approach, communities were able to actively participate in the consultation process.

Watch Inuktitut-narrated video developed for the client to help inform local communities about the project’s location, wind turbine sites, environmental benefits, and timeline.

Listening and co-developing: A project built around community involvement

Respect for Inuit traditions and knowledge was an absolute priority. In line with our client’s modus operandi, local communities were consulted from the earliest stages. These sessions were not mere formalities, but real opportunities for dialogue. Community members shared their concerns and expectations through targeted focus groups and open houses.

One land user said, “We understand the importance of climate action, but we also want to retain access to the land: it’s our larder, our autonomy, our health and our pride.”

Community feedback was directly incorporated into the environmental and social impact study, an essential step in meeting the requirements of the Kativik Environmental Quality Commission (KEQC), which will make a decision on the project.

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Participatory mapping activity during a focus group consultation with land users in Kangiqsujuaq, Quebec.

Site visit to Katinniq by the Raglan Committee.

Real benefits for the environment and communities

The wind farm project is not just about green energy. It’s a step toward a more sustainable future, significantly reducing GHG emissions from the Raglan Mine operations with an anticipated annual saving of 45,000 tonnes of CO₂eq, or the equivalent of 603 flights from Montreal to Kuujjuaq and back. It’s also an opportunity to reduce diesel consumption by 16.4 million litres a year while strengthening ties with host communities around environmental, cultural and economic sustainability objectives.

The consultation activities we conducted for our client helped to build trust between stakeholders and fostered constructive dialogue throughout the process. By combining Inuit knowledge with our technical expertise and building on the strong relationships Raglan Mine has established with surrounding communities, we’ve contributed to the development of a project adapted to local specificities while taking communities’ concerns into account.

A team united by a common vision

“Working on this project has been a transformative experience,” said Laurence Lépine, Senior Community Relations Specialist at WSP. “What was particularly rewarding was the close collaboration between WSP’s internal teams, the client, and the community. By taking an open, flexible approach and including everyone’s voice at every stage of the process, we were able to help our client develop a project that truly reflects local realities and needs.”

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This project is proof of what we can achieve when we combine technology and a human approach. By working closely with communities, we created a model that could inspire similar initiatives around the world.

Wind farm capacity

An additional 36 MW, for a total capacity of 42 MW (including the 2 existing wind turbines). Annual energy output of 154 GWh, enough to power 5,500 Canadian homes.

GHG emissions reduction

45,000 tCO₂eq per year, the equivalent of 603 round-trip flights between Montreal and Kuujjuaq.

Community consultations

200 participants in 20 consultation activities online and in communities. Leveraging virtual modelling, interactive maps and 3D prints of wind turbines.

Meet the Visioneers

Gabrielle Pépin, Project Manager and 3D Modeller at WSP, and Laurence Lépine, Senior Community Relations Specialist, joined forces to integrate innovative technologies and draw on the in-depth knowledge of Raglan Mine’s local partners, a key element of the project.