Victoria/Abbotsford – Two B.C. companies are receiving provincial support to deploy clean-energy technology that strengthens backup power reliability for general aviation aircraft in B.C., replacing diesel generators with battery storage to keep critical services, such as wildfire response, medical transport and search and rescue, running during emergencies.
With as much as $1 million being provided through B.C.’s Integrated Marketplace, Abbotsford-based Fast Air will deploy a mobile battery and solar power system developed by Richmond-based Holinova at the Abbotsford International Airport. The system is designed to power ground equipment and aircraft charging needs without relying on the electrical grid, providing a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel-powered backup power systems and helping maintain operations during outages or high-demand situations.
The project is anticipated to improve charging efficiency, support flexible aircraft movements and enhance operational resilience during periods of peak demand or grid disruptions.
“B.C. is home to world-class innovators building technology that keeps our province running,” said Adrian Dix, acting Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Through our Look West economic plan and the Integrated Marketplace, we’re supporting companies like Fast Air and Holinova as they replace fossil fuels with clean battery storage, strengthening backup power for the aircraft behind wildfire response, medical transport and search and rescue. That means safety for people, cleaner air, good jobs and B.C. companies scaling into new markets, which is exactly what Look West is built to do.”
Keeping mission-critical aircraft in the air
As general aviation activity continues to grow in British Columbia, reliable and adaptable ground infrastructure is increasingly important for sustaining efficient aircraft servicing and uninterrupted customer support. Through the project, Fast Air will evaluate how portable renewable energy systems can reduce reliance on conventional fuel-powered equipment, lower greenhouse gas emissions and provide scalable electrical capacity without the delays and costs of permanent infrastructure.
“B.C. companies like Holinova are developing innovative solutions that help solve real-world challenges while creating economic opportunities here at home,” said Rick Glumac, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies. “Through the Integrated Marketplace, we’re connecting innovators with industry partners like Fast Air so they can test, validate and scale their technologies in real operating environments. By supporting projects like this, we’re strengthening emergency preparedness, creating good jobs and demonstrating the kind of made-in-B.C. innovation that is helping grow our economy through the Look West strategy.”
Fast Air’s facility at the Abbotsford International Airport is a hub for mission-critical aircraft used in emergencies, including wildfire response, medical evacuations and search and rescue.
During wildfires, floods or major storms, access to reliable electricity can be disrupted, leading to increased reliance on diesel-powered backup systems and creating operational challenges.
Fast Air will use the project to advance its transition to cleaner energy while strengthening the reliability of its services during emergencies. Beyond day-to-day operational functions, the project will also demonstrate how resilient energy systems can support general aviation facilities during emergency-response scenarios. The Abbotsford pilot project is intended to serve as a scalable model for sustainable, emergency-ready fixed-base operator infrastructure throughout Canada.
“Reliable operations are incredibly important to us, especially during emergencies when communities depend on aviation services most,” said Dylan Fast, president and CEO, Fast Air. “We’re excited to work alongside Holinova and the Province to test innovative energy solutions that can help strengthen resilience, support critical aviation operations and keep essential services moving during power outages and emergency situations. Projects like this are an important step toward building more reliable and sustainable aviation infrastructure for communities across British Columbia.”
Holinova’s technology is expected to:
* reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining critical services
* help support the continued operation of emergency aircraft during grid disruptions by providing a cleaner alternative to traditional backup power systems
* improve reliability and efficiency for aviation operations
* support faster response to wildfires, medical emergencies and rescues
“Through the Integrated Marketplace, Innovate BC is empowering viable innovative companies to solve real-world challenges and offering a meaningful catalyst for the next B.C. technology unicorns,” said Thomas Ligocki, managing partner, Holinova.
Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed
The Fast Air-Holinova project is the second project launched under Integrated Marketplace’s Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed. Announced in December 2025, the Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed enables testing of technologies that may generate insights and data that could be implemented throughout the province. The data could provide insights to help:
* improve emergency response
* improve resilience
* streamline emergency processes
* build efficiencies in the forestry sector
“As communities face more frequent and complex emergencies, there is a growing need for innovative technologies that can improve preparedness, response and resilience,” said Peter Cowan, president and CEO, Innovate BC. “Through the Integrated Marketplace, we’re helping our innovators put their solutions to work in real operational environments, creating a pathway to adoption while giving companies the traction they need to scale. That’s exactly the kind of innovation the Province’s Look West strategy is designed to support, helping B.C. respond to challenges at home while growing companies that can compete globally.”
Part of the Look West strategy
Created by the Government of B.C. in partnership with PacifiCan in 2023, the Integrated Marketplace is a demand-driven platform delivered by Innovate BC and helps B.C. companies test, deploy and scale their innovations in real-world environments, while de-risking technology adoption for partnering industry customers.
The work is another step in the Province’s Look West economic strategy, specifically growing B.C.’s aerospace, technology and forestry sectors. The Look West strategy outlines B.C.’s vision to deliver jobs and opportunities by strengthening the workforce to develop a more independent economy.
It includes delivering major projects quicker, diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, AI and quantum, life sciences, agriculture construction innovation, mining and critical minerals.
Quick Facts:
* B.C.’s investment in the Integrated Marketplace includes as much as $41.5 million from the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth and $11.7 million from the Government of Canada through PacifiCan.
* There are seven testbeds in B.C.
FYI
* To learn about the Integrated Marketplace, visit: https://www.innovatebc.ca/programs/integrated-marketplace
* For information about Innovate BC, visit: https://www.innovatebc.ca/
* To learn about Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest
* To learn about PacifiCan, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development.html
* To learn about Fast Air, visit: https://flyfastair.com/
* To learn about Holinova, visit: https://holinova.com/
