Wataynikaneyap Power has announced that construction is complete on the first phase of an 1,800-kilometre power line in the north of the province.

The transmission company, which is majority-owned by a partnership of 24 First Nations along with Fortis Inc. and other private investors, announced the completion and energization of a 300-kilometre section of the 230 kV line from Dinorwic to Pickle Lake, Ontario.

The overall $1.8 billion-dollar infrastructure project will connect 17 remote First Nations communities that are currently powered by diesel generators to the province’s power grid. Many of the generators are at capacity and not able to connect new infrastructure.

The 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 the second phase of the project.

“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,” said Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power. "This achievement took years of negotiations, perseverance and commitment by the First Nations, governments, and industry. This is a big step forward and a huge milestone towards fulfilling the vision.”

“With many communities’ diesel generators at capacity, it is impossible to hook up new houses and businesses,” said Frank Mckay, Board Chair for the Wataynikaneyap Power General Partnership. “Medical treatments, education, food security, and technology upgrades have been negatively affected by the limitations of diesel generation. As we advance the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project, we will see that reliable power will allow for opportunities in remote First Nations that others may take for granted.”

There are two main substations for the 230 kV energization. Dinorwic Substation will serve as the connection to the provincial power grid while Pickle Lake Substation will step down the power from 230 kV to 115 kV. Valard is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project.

Wataynikaneyap Power will celebrate the energization of the 230 kV line with its First Nation communities next month.