The Galician company Ecoener has formalized a collaboration with the Wet'suwet'en Nation to develop clean energy projects in British Columbia. This initiative strengthens the group's international presence and targets Canada as a key market. strategic market due to its legal security and high renewable potential.
The agreement comes at a time when First Nations are gaining influence in the country's energy planning and coincides with a working visit to Spain, where Wet'suwet'en representatives have met with the company and government officials. The alliance It seeks to accelerate sustainable investments with community roots..
Who are the Wet'suwet'en and what does the agreement cover?
The ancestral territory of Wet'suwet'en extends over approximately 22.000 square kilometers in the Bulkley Valley, an area equivalent to about 4% of Spain's territory, with a historical presence dating back more than 10.000 years.
With over 5.000 members and a mixed leadership system (elected and hereditary), the Nation prioritizes agreements that respect its values ​​and vision for development. Hereditary Chief Madeek Sherri Green conveyed that her priority is To forge international alliances aligned with indigenous principles to contribute to green and sustainable initiatives.
Ecoener's presence in Canada: contracts and planned capacity
Ecoener is already moving forward with a project in British Columbia after being awarded a 30-year power purchase agreement with BC Hydro in December 2024 to build a 140 MW wind farm in partnership with the Lheidli T'enneth First Nation. This milestone consolidates the group's international roadmap and its commitment to Canada.
The new collaboration with Wet'suwet'en complements that presence, opening up options to boost new investments in generation and, potentially, in network infrastructure under models of participation with local communities.
Agenda in Spain: meetings and technical visits
During their visit to Madrid, the Wet'suwet'en delegation met with Ecoener executives and with the Canadian ambassador to Spain, Jeffrey Marder, who highlighted the opportunities for collaboration and investment with First Nations and the role of the Innovation and new clean energy technologies to achieve lasting impacts.
Later, they traveled to Galicia, where they were received by the president of Ecoener, Luis de Valdivia. The delegation visited several of the group's hydroelectric facilities, including San Bartolomé (A Coruña) and Cierves, Arnoya and Peneda (Ourense)to exchange management and operational practices.
The visit will continue in Gran Canaria to tour the wind and photovoltaic power generation complex located in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, considered one of the largest in the Canary archipelago.
A favorable context in British Columbia for new projects
The British Columbia government has launched a plan to strengthen its electricity system and accelerate the deployment of renewables with the dual objective of meeting growing demand and further developing the energy sector. decarbonization.
First Nations play a leading role as investors and co-owners in key infrastructure. Among the 18 priority initiatives, the North Coast Transmission Line stands out, valued at 6.000 billion Canadian dollars, about 3.700 billion euros, in which several First Nations —including the Wet'suwet'en— will have direct involvement.
The cooperation between Ecoener and Wet'suwet'en strengthens the Spanish company's position in a stable market and drives projects with shared governance and respect for the environment and it is supported by an institutional framework that favors long-term investment in both generation and networks.
