Upper Nicola Band/Okanagan Nation Alliance Solar Farm Project

The Upper Nicola Band/Okanagan Nation Alliance Solar Farm Project is planned to be a 24 MWdc/15 MWac photovoltaic (PV) utility scale solar project connected to the BC Hydro grid. It will be located on the west side of Lot 99 on the Upper Nicola Band Reserve IR#1, covering 38.83 hectare (95.95 acres) of land which is currently undeveloped, which gently undulates and features low lying vegetation mainly consisting of shrubs and low grasses. The site address will be 6905 Double Gate Drive, Douglas Lake, BC.
The project lifespan is expected to be 40 years. The site, when completed and commissioned, will feature 37,296 modules which is approximately 20,000 ground mounted PV panels, along with 111 string inverters, six 3MVA electrical transformers, approximately 4.82 km (3 miles) of 6m (19.7 feet) wide gravel access roadway, 2.13 meter (7 feet) high fence with barbed wire, lockable gates providing access on site. A short 1.546 km distribution line and a small substation will be used to interconnect to an existing BC Hydro distribution line to the east of the project site, and will utilize existing rights of ways. The project will utilize a fixed tilt racking system which is compatible with most of the slopes of the site's naturally rolling hills, so the site grading will be limited to only where roads, stormwater detention ponds, and pad mounted electrical equipment are to be located. Existing vegetation is to be salvaged as to ensure minimal disturbance to the site.

Latest update

April 02, 2025 - The assessment decision statement has been issued to the proponent.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Notice of Determination PDF (312 KB) November 12, 2025

Contacts

Indigenous Services Canada
Ashley Smith, Senior Environmental Specialist
600-1138 Melville Street, BC V6E4S3
Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 4S3
Telephone: 236-334-7336
Email: ashley.smith@sac-isc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • NICOLA LAKE 1 (British Columbia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Alternative Energy

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-04-01

  • Proponent

    Upper Nicola Band

  • Authorities

    • Environment and Climate Change Canada
    • Indigenous Services Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    88788

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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