Ontario Construction News staff writer
Wataynikaneyap Power recently announced the completion of a 230 kV line stretching about 300 kilometres from Dinorwic to Pickle Lake in Northern Ontario. This is the first phase of the 1,800-km. transmission project being built to connect 17 remote First Nations to the Ontario power grid.
It’s the largest First Nations-led infrastructure project in Canada.
“FortisOntario is proud to be a partner and support the First Nations’ vision to lead infrastructure development on their homelands,” says President & CEO of FortisOntario Inc., Scott Hawkes. “Completion of Phase 1 provides the network infrastructure to energize the remote First Nations and remaining 1,500 km of transmission lines.”
“I am honoured and pleased to announce that we are celebrating the completion and energization of the 230 kV line to enable the connection of 17 remote First Nations to reliable, clean energy as mandated by our Chiefs and supported by our partners,” said Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power.
“This achievement took years of negotiations, perseverance, commitment, and working together by the First Nations, governments, and industry to bring the 230 kV line to the region. This is a big step forward and a huge milestone towards fulfilling the vision.”
Wataynikaneyap Power is majority-owned by 24 First Nations, in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other private investors, to build a $1.8 billion dollar infrastructure project to remote northern Ontario First Nations currently powered by diesel generators – many at capacity and not able to connect new infrastructure.
The new 230 kV upgrade to Pickle Lake will increase the load supply capabilities and provide the operating flexibility to meet the needs of the remote communities that will be energized in Phase 2.
“With many communities’ diesel generators at capacity, it is impossible to hook up new houses and businesses,” said Frank Mckay, board chair for the Wataynikaneyap Power General Partnership (WPGP).
“Medical treatments, education, food security, and technology upgrades have been negatively affected by the limitations of diesel generation. As we advance the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project, we will see that reliable power will allow for opportunities in remote First Nations that others may take for granted.”
There are two main substations for the 230 kV energization. Dinorwic Substation will serve as the connection to the provincial power grid while Pickle Lake Substation will step down the power from 230 kV to 115 kV. Valard is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project.
Wataynikaneyap Power will be celebrating the energization of the 230 kV line with its First Nation communities in mid-September.
“The completion and energization of the transmission line to Pickle Lake marks an important milestone in the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project,” says David Hutchens, President and CEO, Fortis Inc. “We are proud to see this advancement and look forward to all 17 First Nations being connected to the electricity grid.”