April 23, 2026 
By EB Staff
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has awarded two 20-year co-ownership contracts to global renewable energy developer and operator Neoen, in partnership with local First Nations communities, for two solar farm projects in Northern Ontario.
Neoen’s first partnership is with Garden River First Nation, with the co-owned solar farm be located east of the City of Sault Ste. Marie. Upon completion, it is set to be the largest solar farm in Ontario at 253 MWp. The second contract will see Neoen partner with the Matachewan First Nation for a 65 MWp solar farm project located in Northeastern Ontario’s District of Temiskaming.
Both Neoen and each First Nation partner will share a 50 per cent equity partnership through these co-ownership agreements, with both including a 20-year solar contract awarded to Neoen and the respective First Nations stakeholder by the IESO through its Long-Term 2 Energy Supply procurement process.
The Garden River First Nation project is expected to begin construction in 2028, with a target in-service date of 2030. When operational, it will provide 380,000 MWh of annual emissions-free energy to the provincial power grid. The farm will be located 55 km east of the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
The Nation has pursued solar projects since the first iteration of its Indigenous Community Energy Plan in 2017, with this solar farm marking its first utility-scale renewable energy project. Garden River First Nation’s 50 per cent ownership stake is also anticipated to bring increases in employment opportunities and local spending to the area, a press release said.
“For Garden River First Nation, this project represents more than energy production. It reflects our responsibility as Anishinaabe people to care for the land while creating meaningful opportunities for our community and future generations,” said Garden River First Nation Chief Karen Bell. “We enter this work with a clear vision grounded in respect for our lands, our people, and the generations yet to come.”
Construction on the Matachewan First Nation solar farm is expected to begin in 2028, with a target in-service date of 2029. The farm will be located approximately 20km southeast from the City of Temiskaming Shores, and when complete will provide nearly 100,000 MWh of annual emission-free energy to Ontario’s power grid. This project also marks the Nation’s foray into the utility-scale renewable energy space.
“As President of the Matachewan Limited Partnership, I am pleased to have worked with Neoen to achieve this contract award with Ontario through IESO,” said Jason Batise, President, Matachewan First Nation Limited Partnership. “We realize we are in the beginning stages of our solar energy project journey with our partners, and we look forward to the opportunities this initiative will provide for Matachewan First Nation.”

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