The Arctic Energy Alliance and the Wood Pellet Association of Canada are excited to be hosting the Arctic Bioenergy Summit and Tour—Sustainable Bioenergy for Northern Communities: Reliable. Affordable. Local. in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, January 26-28, 2026.
Sponsored by the Government of Northwest Territories and supported by media sponsor Canadian Biomass, this in-person event replaces the 2026 edition of Northwest Territories Biomass Week, which is traditionally held the last week of January.
Join us for a full-day tour of biomass installations in Yellowknife, followed by a two-day Summit.
- Visit local facilities that have bioheat and district heat systems.
- Learn about bioenergy in the context of the North. Hear about lessons learned from successful (and unsuccessful) projects both domestically and internationally.
- Discover the supply chain challenges and opportunities, as well as the practical skills and support needed to incorporate bioenergy into the North.
- Engage with other participants in discussing next steps for advancing bioenergy in your community.
If you want to make a week of it, Arctic Energy Alliance will also be hosting a two-day NWT Biomass Boiler and Heating Plant Training Session on January 29-30, 2026. Information available soon.
What you should know
Where: Chateau Nova, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Tour: January 26 | Summit: January 27-28
Register: NWT Bioenergy Summit and Tour
Accommodation: Chateau Nova 4571 48 Street, Yellowknife, NWT. $204/night.
To book a room, please contact the hotel directly at 867-766-6682, ext. 503, 506, or 502. Deadline: December 31, 2025.
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring, please contact:
Gordon Murray
E: gord@pellet.org
P:250-837-8821
Agenda
Please return frequently, as the agenda is continually updated.
Monday, January 26
Site Tours
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Biomass Installation Tour
Tour facilities in Yellowknife that have biomass installations and district heating systems.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Opening Reception
Network with other participants at our opening reception.
Tuesday, January 27
Summit: Setting the Stage and Exploring the Supply Chain
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Registration and Breakfast
Meet participants and explore exhibitor booths.
9:00 am – 9:30 am
Welcoming Remarks
Moderator: Mark Heyck, Executive Director, Arctic Energy Alliance
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Bioenergy in Canada’s North
Moderator: Sheena Adams, Project Manager, Energy Infrastructure, Government of Northwest Territories
10:30 am – 11:00 am
Break and Networking
Meet participants and explore exhibitor booths.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Biomass Success Stories and Lessons Learned
Moderator: Derek Erasmus, Project Coordinator, Arctic Energy Alliance
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Lunch and Networking
Meet participants and explore exhibitor booths.
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Supply Chain Challenges and Opportunities
Moderator: Tanner Nygaard, Energy Management Specialist, Arctic Energy Alliance
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Break and Networking
Meet participants and explore exhibitor booths.
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
International Experience
Moderator: Fahimeh Yazdan Panah, Associate Executive Director, Wood Pellet Association of Canada
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Day 1 Wrap Up
Speaker:
Mark Heyck, Executive Director, Arctic Energy Alliance
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Reception
Network with other participants and exhibitors.
Wednesday, January 28
Summit: From Technology to Community Action
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Registration and Breakfast
Meet participants and explore exhibitor booths.
9:00 am – 10:15 am
Electricity and Combined Heat & Power (CHP)
Moderator: Sheena Adams, Project Manager, Energy Infrastructure, Government of Northwest Territories
10:15 am – 10:45 am
Break and Networking
Meet participants and explore exhibitor booths.
10:45 am – 11:45 am
Panel Session: community Benefits and Co-Benefits
Moderator: Derek Erasmus, Project Coordinator, Arctic Energy Alliance
11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Lunch and Networking
Meet participants and explore exhibitor booths.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Practical Skills and Support
Moderator: Tanner Nygaard, Energy Management Specialist, Arctic Energy Alliance
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Forests, Carbon and Bioenergy
Moderator: Sheena Adams, Project Manager, Energy Infrastructure, Government of Northwest Territories
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Break and Networking
Meet participants and explore exhibitor booths.
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Action Planning Session
Moderator: Michelle Leger, Program Coordinator, Arctic Energy Alliance
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm
Report Back to Large Group
Moderator: Michelle Leger, Program Coordinator, Arctic Energy Alliance
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm
Closing Remarks and Next Steps
Speaker:
Mark Heyck, Executive Director, Arctic Energy Alliance
NWT Biomass Boiler and Heating Plant Training (NOTE: Separate Registration)
Information on how to register for the training coming soon.
Thursday, January 29
Parts and Functions
Topics include:
- Benefits of biomass boilers
- Relationships between biomass, oil and propane-based boilers
- Core safety consderations when operating a biomass boiler
- Biomass boiler parts and their functions
Friday, January 30
Operations Topics
Topics include:
- Operating a biomass boiler plant
- Inspection
- Cleaning
- Maintenance procedures
- Inspection cleaning and maintenance tasks
- Troubleshooting common problems
Accommodation
Chateau Nova
4571 48 Street
Yellowknife, NTW X1A 0E2
A block of rooms has been booked at the Chateau Nova hotel.
Rate: $204/night.
Nights available: Sunday, January 25 – Thursday, January 29
Booking Deadline: December 28, 2025
To book a room: please get in touch with the hotel directly at 867-766-6682 ext. 503, 506 or 502.