Transmission line planned for north

A number of northwestern Ontario’s remote First Nations are set to replace their diesel generating stations with a power transmission line.
“My community can no longer afford the cost of expensive diesel power,” said Wunnumin Lake Chief Rod Winnepetongo. “Together our communities must move quickly to bring transmission line connectivity.”
A First Nations led company, Wataynikaneyap Power, is being formed to own and operate a 230 kilovolt power transmission line to increase the power grid connection to Pickle Lake, Ont., and to First Nations in the region.
A two-phase process is planned to bring connectivity to the communities, with the first phase reinforcing the grid at Pickle Lake and the second phase extending the grid north to the remote communities.
“This transmission line would be awesome for our community,” said Muskrat Dam Chief Gordon Beardy. “It would allow for economic prosperity and development of a run of the river project my community has been exploring.”
The power line would allow communities with renewable energy projects to sell their power to the provincial grid, supporting regional economic development, according to a press release. The communities would also have more power for potential economic development projects.
“Everybody has a need for this project to move forward,” said Weagamow Lake Chief Pierre Morriseau. “My community needs power.”
Each community in the region will have an opportunity to be an equal partner in the company.
“We need to ensure the Pickle Lake south phase of the project is developed in a timely manner as the mine is currently supplementing power needs with diesel generation,” said Gil Lawson, general manager of the Musselwhite Mine.
The mine is located north of Pickle Lake and is a potential customer of the transmission line.
“As a First Nations-owned business, the new transmission line will expand economic development opportunities for the region with the First Nations in a position to see real benefits,” Lawson added.
The power line will also enable communities to get off diesel generators and reduce their contribution to greenhouse gas generation.