The Waasigan Transmission Line is set to move forward.
“Once built, the Waasigan Transmission Line will provide northwest Ontario with clean and reliable electricity to meet forecasted energy demand in the region and support economic growth, job creation and mining operations,” said a Hydro One Spokesperson. “With the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ approval of the Waasigan Transmission Line’s final Environmental Assessment Report, Hydro One plans to proceed with construction activities later this year. ”
Hydro One is hosting open houses before the work gets underway.
Residents can attend for more information about construction activities, timelines and community benefit opportunities.
The open houses are being held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time) on the following dates:
- Monday, October 28, – Atikokan Adult Learning Centre
- Tuesday, October 29, – Thunder Bay Current River Community Centre
- Wednesday, October 30, – Kaministiquia Community Centre
The project is being built through a partnership between Hydro One, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, and eight First Nation communities represented by Gwayakocchigewin Limited Partnership (GLP).
GLP has agreements in place to invest in a 50 per cent 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.
Phase one of the project will see a new double-circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line run from the Lakehead Transformer Station in Shuniah to the Mackenzie Transformer Station in Atitkokan.
Hydro One hopes to have this line in service as close to the end of 2025 as possible.
Phase two of the project will see a single-circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line run from the Makenzie Transformer Station to the Dryden Transfer Station.
The hope is that this line will be in service at some point in 2027.
Both phases of the project will see the transformer stations enhanced to support the new lines.
The new lines will bring an additional 350 megawatts of electricity to the region, which is more than two times what it takes to power Thunder Bay.
This increase in power transfer capability would ensure that energy concerns do not affect communities and businesses’ ability to grow.
Hydro One plans to host additional engagement opportunities before phase two construction gets underway.
