Wataynikaneyap Power is celebrating a major milestone.
The power utility has completed and energized a 230kV line, which runs approximately 300-kilometresection, between Dinorwic and Pickle Lake. This marks the completion of the first part of the 1,800-kilometre Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project that is being built to connect 17 remote First Nations to the Ontario power grid.
“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,” says 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,” added Kenequanash.
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 of the Project.
Wataynikaneyap Power is majority-owned by 24 First Nations, in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other private investors, to bring the ‘line that brings light’, a $1.8 billion dollar infrastructure project, to remote northern Ontario First Nations currently powered by diesel generators. Many of these generators are at capacity and not able to connect new infrastructure.