Upper Nicola Band/Okanagan Nation Alliance Solar Farm Project – Public Comments Invited 

May 6, 2026 – Environment and Climate Change Canada intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

To help inform this determination, Environment and Climate Change Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online. 

Written comments must be submitted by  June 6, 2026 to: 

Environment and Climate Change Canada 
Canadian Wildlife Service 
5421 Robertson Road 
Delta, British Columbia V4K 3N2 
Email: ReglementationPAC-RegulatoryPAC@ec.gc.ca 

The Proposed Project 

The Upper Nicola Band/Okanagan Nation Alliance are proposing to develop a utility-scale solar energy facility on the west side of Upper Nicola Band Reserve IR#1 (east of Nicola Lake). The Project will consist of a 24 MWdc/15 MWac photovoltaic solar farm connected to the BC Hydro grid, generating enough energy to power approximately 5,000 residential homes.  

The Project may affect approximately 48.4 ha of currently undeveloped land with primarily low-lying shrubs and grasses. Project activities include: 

• vegetation clearing,  
• excavation for stormwater management, 
• grading for access roads, stormwater ponds, and electrical equipment, 
• construction and/or installation of infrastructure, and 
• restoration of areas temporarily disturbed during construction. 

The proponent has applied to Environment and Climate Change Canada for a Species at Risk Act permit under section 73(3).