Public Notice
Nootka Lightstation – New Solar Energy System

Public Comments Invited

November 23, 2023 - The Fisheries and Oceans Canada must decide whether the New Solar Energy System, located at Nootka Lightstation on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, BC, is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

To help inform this decision, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.
Written comments must be submitted by December 23, 2023, to:

Eliza Gray, Project Engineer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Real Property Technical Services, Pacific Region
Email: Eliza.Gray@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Tel: 250-634-0574
9860 West Saanich Rd
Victoria, B.C.
V8L 4B2

Assessment Summary

DFO and CCG are proposing to install a renewable energy system at the Nootka Lightstation. The lightstation is staffed by two lightkeepers 24/7 as per maritime safety requirements. Currently, the station is powered by diesel fuel powered generators, which supply electricity to the two residences, light tower, weather monitoring system, and the many other buildings and assets on station. The proposed design was chosen to reduce fuel consumption on site by incorporating renewable sources of energy.

This proposed project involves the installation of an array of four 5 m x 3 m solar arrays with supporting concrete footings with a footprint of approximately 60 m2. The new infrastructure will be connected to an energy storage system comprised of batteries and inverters, housed in the existing engine building. 

Ground disturbance is expected in the areas where concrete foundations will be laid, as well as the conduit lines. A buried conduit or cable tray of approximately 30 m in length will be installed alongside the walkways from the proposed solar arrays to the engine building where the battery banks will be stored indoors.

Helicopter slinging will be used to mobilize and demobilize equipment. If materials cannot be transported solely by helicopter, then a barge may be required. In this case, materials will be lifted to site by helicopter from the nearby barge.

Nootka is a lighthouse on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The lighthouse sits on San Rafael Island, at the entrance to Nootka Sound 

Project Locations

Nootka Lightstation

Site Access: Helicopter or Boat
Coordinates:
Latitude: 49°44'35"N
Longitude: 126°46'10"W