Two more northern Ontario communities have been connected to the province’s power grid via the massive Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system.

Wataynikaneyap Power has announced that the communities of Sachigo Lake First Nation and Deer Lake First Nation are now receiving power through the electricity grid.

Sachigo Lake First Nation is located about 650 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, while Deer Lake First Nation is located approximately 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay and approximately 80 kilometres east of the Manitoba border.

The communities are among the most northern to be connected to the system.

“On behalf of Sachigo Lake community members, including Elders, youth, and land keepers, we are so pleased to celebrate the community’s connected to the provincial power grid,” said Sachigo Lake Chief Simon Tait. “With this connection, we are no longer constrained by the limits of the diesel generators.” 

“Deer Lake is so proud to be an owner of the infrastructure that allowed us to replace diesel-generation as our primary source of power,” said Chief Leonard Mamakeesick. “Not only will grid connection bring us cleaner, more reliable power, but it also opens up the possibility to connect new houses and buildings within the community. Deer Lake has been able to build and connect six new homes, a fitness centre, and install a refrigeration system at the arena.”

Wataynikaneyap Power is majority-owned by an equal partnership of 24 First Nations, in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other private investors, to build and operate the $1.9-billion infrastructure project.

The 1,800 km Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system will ultimately connect 17 remote First Nations to the Ontario power grid, removing their reliance on diesel-generated electricity. Many of these generators are at capacity and not able to connect to new infrastructure.

As of May 2024, all Wataynikaneyap Power assets are energized; four others are awaiting grid connection.

“The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system is the largest First Nations-led infrastructure project in Canada,” said Frank Mckay, Board Chair for the Wataynikaneyap Power General Partnership. " First Nation ownership will ensure responsible development of infrastructure on our Homelands and maximize benefits to communities. We are not just bringing light, Wataynikaneyap Power is bringing improvements to the peoples’ quality of life.”

Sachigo Lake First Nation, which has an on-reserve population of 540 people, is located on the north shore of Sachigo Lake. Both it and Deer Lake are and is accessible only by air or ice road during the winter.

The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system connects the community distribution system to the Ontario grid through a total of 760 kilometres of transmission line and six substations, originating from its Dinorwic Substation just east of Dryden.

Both communities will continue to be served by Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. for the local distribution of electricity.