Microgrids and More: Funding for 10 climate action projects in PEI

With the help of provincial funding from the Climate Challenge Fund, Islanders are working on 10 new and innovative projects to help combat climate change impacts.

The goal of the fund is to empower people of various backgrounds, experiences, and expertise, working across sectors throughout the Island, to help meet the province’s net zero and climate adaptation goals.

“We can’t meet our climate goals without partners in the community. Local solutions could contain big answers to the problems we all face in changing weather patterns and coastal impacts,” said Gilles Arsenault, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action. “This year, funding is directed toward advancing research, providing educational resources, and implementing adaptive technologies.”

This year’s funding supports the development of a community energy and emission plan for West Prince communities. Another project receiving funding is the Abegweit Renewable Microgrid Feasibility and Preliminary Design project, a critical step toward sustainable energy independence for Abegweit First Nation. The Lennox Island Living Shoreline Pilot will serve as proof of concept for coastal nature-based solutions. Additional projects focus on areas such as sustainable potato storage, climate action engagement for youth and teachers, and a climate change risk assessment for the tourism industry.

“Support from the Climate Challenge Fund has allowed our organization to participate in QUEST Canada’s Net Zero Communities Accelerator program and take steps to implement community energy and emission plan action items for Western PEI,” said Jordan MacDonald, Executive Director of Develop West Prince. “We hope to bring together municipalities, community organizations, and residents to achieve our provincial net zero goals.”

Since 2020, the Climate Challenge Fund has provided $1 million annually to help organizations develop solutions to address climate change, with a combined total of $6.8 million invested.

The fund has supported 87 projects to date across sectors and organization types, including First Nations, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, local businesses and academic institutions in Prince Edward Island.

2025-2026 Climate Challenge Fund Recipients and Projects

Abegweit Renewable Microgrid Feasibility & Preliminary Design

• Capacity development and feasibility activities to inform final design and installation requirements of a large-scale solar array complemented by a state-of-the-art Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
  Recipient: Abegweit First Nation 

A community Based Approach to Restoring the Coastal Shield in Prince Edward Island.

• Combination of outreach, training, and hands-on restoration work at four Provincial Parks sites to provide coastal property owners and businesses with the resources and information needed to ecologically maintain coastal habitats within their communities.
  Recipient: The Environmental Coalition of PEI

Building Resilient Futures: Climate Education for PEI

• Innovative climate education through bilingual Discovery Kits distributed via the PEI Public Library System’s 25 branches. Focused on local climate impacts and Indigenous knowledge, the program transforms eco-anxiety into action while building climate literacy.
  Recipient: Ocean Wise Conservation Association 

Climate Action Engagement for Youth and Teachers

• Professional development and classroom support to integrate climate action into curriculum.  In collaboration with the PEI department of Education and Early Years, La Commission scolaire de langue français, and Unlooweg Education Centre.
  Recipient: STEAM PEI

Extreme Wind Adaptation and Resilience in Rural PEI Communities

• Development of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling framework to assess how vegetation can protect buildings and communities in extreme wind events. The project will apply nature-based solutions to reduce wind-related impacts on rural communities, supporting data-driven planning for resilient and climate-adaptive communities across PEI.
  Recipient: UPEI – Dr. Kuljeet Grewal 

Lennox Island Living Shoreline Pilot Project

• Planned site assessment, community outreach, and construction of a 50-meter living shoreline to stabilize the bank using nature-based solutions. The site will also enhance habitats for native species and serve as a community learning site.
  Recipient: Lennox Island First Nation

PEI Tourism Sector Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Strategy

• Development of clear, actionable recommendations to establish a tourism sector-specific adaptation strategy, with a strong focus on key challenges such as coastal erosion, extreme weather events, and infrastructure vulnerabilities.
  Recipient: Tourism Industry Association of PEI (TAIPEI)

Remote Monitoring & Efficient Aeration for Sustainable Potato Storage

• Hands-on industry research at the Cavendish Farms storage facility to develop guidelines for an energy-efficient stored potato management system. The research will inform custom solutions for farmers, aiming to reduce energy consumption and enhance food security.
  Recipient: UPEI – Dr. Senthikumar Thiruppathi

Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group Nature-Based Solutions to Shoreline Erosion Community Engagement Program

• Development and distribution of informative resources promoting nature-based solutions (NBS) to encourage coastal property owners within the SAWIG water-shed boundary to adopt these approaches where suitable to help mitigate shoreline erosion.
  Recipient: Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group (SAWIG)

West Prince Community Energy & Emissions Plan               

• Development of a Community Energy and Emission Plan (CEEP) for West Prince communities through the Net Zero Communities Accelerator Program, using assessment, mapping, inventory, and engagement to guide implementation.
  Recipient: Develop West Prince Inc. (DWP)

More information on these projects is available at Climate Challenge Fund.   

Featured image: Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Ernie Hudson joined Jordan MacDonald of Develop West Prince and Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Gilles Arsenault to discuss the group’s climate challenge fund project. Credit: Government of PEI.