The approval will help the project bring sustainable, reliable and clean power to First Nations communities in Northern Ontario.
Canada’s energy transmission company, Wataynikaneyap Power LP has recently announced that the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has finally approved its LTC (leave to construct) application, that was filed in June 2018, allowing it to build the firm’s power transmission project in Ontario.
For the record, the project, dubbed as the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project, is a unique First Nations-led development that aims at building approximately 1,800 kilometers of transmission lines in NW Ontario to connect distant First Nations communities to Ontario power grid.
Reliable reports claim that the project will strengthen the current transmission network to Pickle Lake and will further expand grid services in the north of Red Lake and Pickle Lake to efficiently connect 17 First Nations communities.
Commenting on the achievement, Margaret Kenequanash, CEO, Wataynikaneyap Power, said that the OEB approval permits the company to construct and run the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project and further help deliver upon its commitment to bring sustainable, reliable and clean power to its First Nations communities in Northern Ontario.
She said that the company has successfully connected Pikangikum to the provincial energy grid in December 2018 and is looking forward to connecting the remaining First Nation communities who currently rely on expensive, diesel-powered generators for electricity.
Sources cite that the Wataynikaneyap Power is currently focused on the project’s next development steps before construction, including EA (Environmental Assessment) approvals, choosing an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) proponent(s) for Phase 1 & 2 of the Project and finalizing financing.
Wataynikaneyap Power is owned by a partnership of 24 First Nation communities and group of investors led by Fortis. Barry Perry, President & CEO, Fortis Inc., commented that the Wataynikaneyap Project team continues to attain major milestones in the development process and the LTC approval is just another example of its success.
He said that the firm is honored to be working with its 24 First Nations partners in the construction of this project, and offering access to clean and reliable energy, a need for number of First Nation occupants in Northern Ontario.