Marten Falls First Nation and Aecon announce strategic partnership to explore renewable energy solution

Thunder Bay, ON – March 14, 2019: Marten Falls First Nation and Aecon Group Inc. (TSX:ARE) announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to explore a renewable energy pilot project to reduce dependence on diesel fuel consumption in Marten Falls, a remote community located southeast of Ontario’s Ring of Fire region.

The pilot project aims to install an innovative solar power generation system built on a self-support, surface mount foundation including battery storage, an energy management system and an electrical interface connection to the existing HORCI substation. The durable design is tailored for remote northern climates and has the capability to produce significantly more energy than standard fixed mount solar panels by maximizing solar irradiance.

As part of the planning process, and in efforts to maximize the utilization of existing machinery available in the community, the parties will explore and develop training programs for the Marten Falls members to repair and operate heavy equipment and machinery. This would be a stepping stone towards future training and capacity development initiatives that could include training community members for construction and operations jobs if the project proceeds to development.

“For Marten Falls, this is a positive development that will help reduce dependence on expensive, non-renewable energy and provide economic benefits to the community in a sustainable fashion,” said Chief Bruce Achneepineskum, Marten Falls First Nation. “The community currently relies on diesel and other supplies that are flown in at great expense. We need innovative solutions like this for socio-economic development.”

“Aecon is pleased to partner with Marten Falls First Nation to explore this innovative renewable energy solution which supports Canada’s carbon reduction strategy through diesel abatement,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aecon Group Inc.  “Aecon has a proven track record of creating meaningful and lasting economic benefits in the communities in which we operate.”

About Marten Falls First Nation

Marten Falls First Nation is an Indigenous community located in northwestern Ontario, also known as Ogoki Post. Marten Falls First Nation is situated at the junction of the Albany and Ogoki Rivers, north of Nakina and northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The community is accessible year-round by air, and in the winter, it is accessible by ice road from January to March.

About Aecon

Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE) is a Canadian leader and partner-of-choice in construction and infrastructure development. Aecon provides integrated turnkey services to private and public-sector clients in the Infrastructure and Industrial sectors, and provides project management, financing and development services through its Concessions segment. For more information, please visit aecon.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram @AeconGroup.

For further information:

Chief Bruce Achneepineskum
Marten Falls First Nation
bruce.achneepineskum@gmail.com

Nicole Court
Director, Corporate Affairs
ncourt@aecon.com

NT5