Neoen and Matachewan First Nation awarded 20-year contract for new solar farm in Ontario

Press Release

April 20, 2026

• Neoen and Matachewan First Nation have been awarded a 20-year contract by Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) for a new solar farm
• The 65 MWp / 50 MWac project is located in the District of Timiskaming in Northeastern Ontario
• It will be co-owned by Neoen and Matachewan First Nation in a 50% equity partnership
• Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with a target in-service date of 2029

Neoen, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, and Matachewan First Nation have been awarded a 20-year, 50 MW solar contract by Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in its competitive Long-Term 2 Energy Supply procurement process. The contract covers 100% of the output from the future 65 MWp / 50 MWac solar farm.

Located approximately 20 km southeast of the City of Temiskaming Shores, in Northeastern Ontario, the solar farm will add close to 100,000 MWh of emissions-free energy to Ontario’s power grid each year, once operating. This is the equivalent to the power used by 10,500 Ontario households. Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with a target in-service date of 2029.

The project will be co-owned by Neoen and Matachewan First Nation in a 50% equity partnership and will deliver significant economic benefits including jobs and local spending. This is the first utility-scale renewable energy project for Matachewan First Nation.

Neoen was awarded two contracts by IESO, totalling 318 MWp / 250 MW including a second 253 MWp / 200 MW solar farm, which will be co-owned by Garden River First Nation. The awards bring Neoen’s total secured capacity^[1] in Ontario to 718 MW and to 968 MW across Canada. The portfolio also includes Fox Coulée, a 93 MWp operating solar farm in Alberta; Mino Giizis, a 157 MWp solar project in Saskatchewan which is being delivered in partnership with the Anishinabek Power Alliance, and a 400 MW / 4-hour battery storage project in Ontario on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

Benoit Pinot de Villechenon, Neoen’s Province Director for Ontario, said: “This project reflects Neoen’s approach to developing clean energy projects – creating shared value and supporting Indigenous participation in the clean energy sector. We are proud to support the clean energy transition and to create long-term economic opportunities alongside Matachewan First Nation.”

Jason Batise, President, Matachewan First Nation Limited Partnership, said: “As President of the Matachewan Limited Partnership, I am pleased to have worked with Neoen to achieve this contract award with Ontario through IESO. 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.”

Emmanuel Pujol, Neoen’s Regional CEO for the Americas, concluded: “This award reinforces Neoen’s ambition to play a leading role in Ontario’s rapidly evolving energy landscape and demonstrates our commitment to partnering with and sharing the benefits of the energy transition with First Nations peoples. We are grateful to our partners, Matachewan First Nation, for their trust and collaboration.”

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