Hydro One and nine First Nation partners have filed an application with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to build and operate the proposed Waasigan Transmission Line in northwestern Ontario.
The line was approved to be meet the forecasted electricity needs of northwestern Ontario’s booming mining sector.
The first phase is a line is a proposed new double-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line from Lakehead Transformer Station, north of Thunder Bay, in the Municipality of Shuniah to the Mackenzie Transformer Station in the Town of Atikokan. The line is scheduled to be service by the end of 2025.
The second phase is a single-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line from Atikokan to a transformer station in Dryden. That line is scheduled to be in service by the end of 2027.
The contractor for the $1.2-billion infrastructure project is Valard Construction LP, the same company involved in the construction of the East-West Tie line upgrade along the north shore of Lake Superior.
Filing a leave to construct application under Section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, is a requirement for Ontario electricity transmitters and distributors to obtain approval from the energy board to construct, expand, or reinforce electricity transmission and distribution lines or interconnections. The application submitted by Hydro One provides details of the project, such as timing, route, design and cost.
Four years in the making, the Waasigan project is a 50/50 equity partnership between Hydro One and nine First Nations. Under the project umbrella of the Gwayakocchigewin Limited Partnership (meaning "making decisions the right way" ), those involved include Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Eagle Lake First Nation, Lac La Croix First Nation, Fort William First Nation, Seine River First Nation, Lac Seul First Nation, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, and the Ojibway Nation of Saugeen.
"This project is also a major step forward on our commitment to advancing Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #92 with real action on Economic Reconciliation and represents a true partnership between Hydro One and Indigenous communities,” said Hydro President-CEO David Lebeter in a statement.
"GLP First Nations support sharing of the land for this important Project, and will ensure development respects our laws, customs, protocols, and people," said Tom Johnson, President of Gwayakocchigewin LP. "We look forward to continued progress with Hydro One and our people benefiting for generations from this partnership."
"The Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation is pleased to partner with Hydro One on its application to the Ontario Energy Board to build and operate the Waasigan Transmission Line. Since 2019, our First Nation has worked closely with Hydro One on this project and we are excited to take this next step in its development,” said Chief Whitecloud of Lac des Milles Lac First Nation in a a statement.
Hydro One said it is incorporating all the feedback it received during its draft Environmental Assessment Report public review period into a final report that will be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, for final review and decision. Completion of the line is contingent on Indigenous and stakeholder consultation as well as regulatory approvals.
