Our Work
We are the voice of energy for the people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta promoting access to affordable, sustainable, and reliable energy. To achieve our goals, we are developing collaborative programs and projects in partnership with communities, regional and local organizations, and agencies that reduce energy costs and improve energy security.
To view all of Nuvista’s published reports and documents, visit our Resource Library.
Kwethluk Wind & Storage Project
Kwethluk, Alaska is a traditional Yup’ik community in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of Alaska with a population of approximately 800 people. As is the case in many rural communities in Alaska, the cost of energy is a significant barrier to high quality of life for the residents of Kwethluk. Diesel fuel is used for power generation and heating and, as a result, the unsubsidized cost of electricity is $0.56 per kilowatt hour — over 400% of the national average in the United States.
Also known as “Kuigglluum Kallugvia Anuuqesiit”, Nuvista’s wind generation and battery storage project in Kwethluk includes the development of a hybrid power system with the capacity to reduce diesel consumption for electricity and heating by 40% by 2025. Reducing diesel fuel use at the power plant will result in savings by the utility and, therefore, increased investment in preventative maintenance, pay and benefits for employees, and additional permanent jobs for the community. This project also includes a residential wind-to-heat program for homes of families with elders and children, further reducing the community’s consumption of diesel fuel and cost of heating.
Calista Energy Management Assistance Initiative Partnership
Since 2017, Nuvista has partnered with Calista Corporation on their Calista Energy Management Assistance Initiative (CEMAI), a program funded by the US Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy.
The CEMAI program has offered energy technical assistance to communities of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta through community energy planning; energy education for public facilities, residents, and community leaders; direct assistance and guidance on specific energy issues; compiling research and resources for stakeholders; and coordinating energy events for communities.
Yukon-Kuskokwim Regional Energy Plan
In 2015, Nuvista received funding from the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) to complete a regional energy plan for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of Alaska. The 20-Year Energy Vision of the plan was established by the stakeholder advisory group during Nuvista’s kickoff meeting: “Leaders pioneering a unified, creative approach to access abundant, affordable, efficient energy utilizing local resources.” The final version of the plan was published in 2016.
Community Sustainability Modeling Program
Nuvista received funding in 2013 from the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) to complete three phases of community sustainability modeling in nine communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. The purpose of the initiative was to identify the potential for shared services within groupings of communities to reduce operations and maintenance costs of services and create economies of scale.
Consider supporting us.
We are guided by our goal of achieving affordable, sustainable energy for the people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The investment you make in Nuvista goes toward fulfilling that goal. If you believe rural Alaskan communities should have access to reliable energy, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.