The federal government is making the push to convert homes from oil furnaces to electric heat pumps, but in some more isolated parts of the province, entire communities rely on electricity generated by diesel plants.

The coast of Labrador is one of those regions and Vice President of Engineering and NL System Operations with NL Hydro, Rob Collett, says it’s something they’re trying to find solutions to going forward.

He says Hydro is working with local Indigenous governments and communities in establishing renewable energy sources. In Mary’s Harbour, for instance, they have had their own mini-hydro plant for decades.

Mary’s Harbour is also looking at putting in a solar plant, while in Nain they’re exploring the use of wind turbines.