A conference planned for Yellowknife early next year aims to share knowledge on sustainable bioenergy in northern communities.
The Arctic Energy Alliance and Wood Pellet Association of Canada are hosting the Arctic Bioenergy Summit and Tour in the city from January 26-28, 2026.
“It’s a chance for northern communities to learn from each other and explore new ways to make energy more reliable, affordable and renewable,” stated Mark Heyck, executive director of the Arctic Energy Alliance.
The event will start with a full-day tour of buildings in Yellowknife that use biomass heating systems, including the Łıwegǫ̀atì building, fieldhouse, multiplex, community arena and aquatic centre. That will be followed by a two-day summit at the Chateau Nova.
The summit will feature speakers from the NWT, elsewhere in Canada, Alaska and Finland. Topics covered will include biomass success stories and lessons learned, supply chain challenges and opportunities, and the potential for biomass electricity and combined heat and power in northern communities.
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“The summit and tour is a unique opportunity to bring together leaders, innovators and community members who are passionate about advancing renewable energy in northern Canada,” stated Gordon Murray, executive director of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada.
The in-person event replaces NWT Biomass Week, which has previously been held in the last week of January.
The Arctic Energy Alliance has long supported the use of biomass, such as wood pellets, for heating. The group says heating with biomass can save money compared to using fossil fuels and has a lower carbon footprint.
The NWT government committed to expanding the use of biomass heating in its 2030 Energy Strategy, which states biomass is “a promising way to increase the use of renewable energy” in the territory.
