Wataynikaneyap Power has announced the energization of all assets of the Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system, which includes 1,800 km of transmission lines and 22 substations in northwestern Ontario.
The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system will connect 17 remote First Nation communities to the Ontario power grid.
Additional connection facts are:
- The connection of 12 First Nations is complete, removing their reliance on diesel-generated electricity.
- The transmission assets of four First Nations are energized, and these communities are working through their Independent Power Authority processes before they can be connected.
- Wataynikaneyap Power will continue working with McDowell Lake First Nation, the 17th community, to become grid-connected in the future.
The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system, as a First Nations-led initiative, follows regulatory requirements and respects Indigenous protocols, Rights, and way of life. The project follows Guiding Principles, which are given by the First Nations leadership and supported by industry partners.
The 24 First Nation partnership also established Opiikapawiin Services to provide engagement, skills development, and community readiness services through a service agreement for the transmission system. There have been close to 3,000 engagements recorded since 2012.
The negotiations for support of the Ontario and Canadian governments have been crucial to the development and building of the transmission system.
On March 22, 2018, Canada announced $1.55 billion in Federal funding to pay for the Ontario loan and other costs. The cost to complete the construction of the transmission system was approximately $1.8 billion plus additional costs and was financed by Ontario and Senior Bank lenders and equity contributions by owners.
Wataynikaneyap Power and the EPC contractor are discussing other construction costs related to COVID-19 and the 2021 summer forest fires.
Wataynikaneyap Power is developing programs pertaining to permanent access, vegetation management, emergency response, environmental monitoring, as well as capacity building and will continue to engage the First Nations on these matters.
