Wind energy project empowers Vancouver Island First Nation

Written By Peter Allan

Chief Chris Roberts (centre) and members of both the Wei Wai Kum Nation and Capstone at the future location of Yə̓yus Energy project, a 30 turbine wind farm in development on Vancouver Island. Photo courtesy of Capstone

By Rochelle Baker

Wei Wai Kum First Nation is charting a new course as the majority owner of one Vancouver Island’s largest new power sources following decades of exclusion from energy projects in their own territory.

The Yə̓yus Energy, formerly known as the Brewster Wind Project, is a $600-million, 197-megawatt wind farm with 30 turbines that will be located northwest of Campbell River. Wei Wai Kum owns 51 per cent of the wind project while Capstone, a Toronto-based renewable energy firm, owns the remainder.

Yə̓yus means “always windy” in the language of the Ligʷiłdaxʷ peoples, said Wei Wai Kum Chief Chris Roberts. The project’s logo, designed by local artist James Kwaksistala, symbolizes the nation’s decision-making and cultural authority in developing the future clean energy project.

The Yə̓yus wind project, which has secured a 30-year electricity purchase agreement with BC Hydro, was one of 10 Indigenous-led renewable projects selected during the utility’s 2024 call for power proposals. That open call mandated First Nations ownership between 49 to 51 per cent.

“To be meaningfully involved as an owner and at the table and making key decisions, that’s super important,” Roberts said. Prior to the 2024 opportunity from BC Hydro, the nation had no ownership and little say in large legacy hydro projects that profoundly impacted their way of life and territories.

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Peter Allan
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