Hydro One taps Valard Construction to deliver Waasigan Transmission Line project
Hydro One has awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to Valard Construction LP for delivery of the Waasigan Transmission Line project in northwestern Ontario.
"With their strong history of building electrical infrastructure projects in Ontario, we are confident that Valard is well positioned to design, build and deliver the Waasigan Transmission Line," said Hydro One’s executive vice president of capital portfolio delivery, Andrew Spencer. "Aligned with Hydro One's procurement policy for Indigenous sourcing, a large portion of the Waasigan transmission line will include the purchase of goods and services from qualified Indigenous businesses as subcontractors to Valard. This builds on our overall commitment to source five per cent of all of Hydro One's purchases of materials and services from Indigenous businesses by 2026. Valard's experience in Indigenous engagement will help us meet that goal."
The Waasigan Transmission Line is a proposed new double-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line between Lakehead Transformer Station (TS) in the Municipality of Shuniah and Mackenzie TS in the Town of Atikokan, and a proposed new single-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line between Mackenzie TS and Dryden TS in the City of Dryden.
Throughout the project, Hydro One will work with its First Nation partners and Valard to establish shared project values and expectations. Hydro One and First Nation partners will monitor the construction progress working in collaboration with Valard.
The utility has established a 50-50 equity partnership model to the project. It will offer nine First Nations a 50-percent equity stake in the transmission line component of the project including Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation (LDMLFN) and eight First Nation communities represented by Gwayakocchigewin LP (GLP). The GLP communities 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.
"Gwayakocchigewin means 'making decisions the right way.' GLP's goal is to achieve meaningful economic participation for its First Nations, while protecting the lands, waters, and cultural values potentially impacted by the Waasigan Transmission Line Project," said Tom Johnson, President of Gwayakocchigewin LP.
Hydro One is currently undertaking an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project. The review will help identify a final route for the transmission line, predict and assess potential effects, and identify measures to minimize and eliminate potential negative impacts on the environment.
The utility plans to submit a leave to construct application to the Ontario Energy Board later this year.