Hydro One and nine First Nation partners have received approval on the final Environmental Assessment Report for the Waasigan Transmission Line project from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
The line is expected to bring an additional 350 MW of electricity to the region to meet the current and future energy needs of Ontario’s northwest communities.
The project is built in partnership with nine First Nations, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation and eight First Nation communities represented by Gwayakocchigewin Limited Partnership (GLP), who have agreements in place to invest in a 50 percent equity stake in the transmission line component of the project.
The GLP First Nation communities include Eagle Lake First Nation, Fort William First Nation, Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation, Lac Seul First Nation, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, Ojibway Nation of Saugeen, Seine River First Nation and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.
While phase one of the transmission Line is a double-circuit 230 kV transmission line from Lakehead Transformer Station (TS) in Shuniah to Mackenzie TS in Atikokan, with planned in service as close to the end of 2025, phase two is a single-circuit 230 kV transmission line from Mackenzie TS to Dryden TS in Dryden and is expected to be operational in 2027.
Additional engagement opportunities will take place before phase two construction activities and both phases will include station enhancements to support the new lines.
