FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION, Ontario, Sept. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wataynikaneyap Power and North Caribou Lake First Nation are pleased to celebrate the connection of the northern Ontario community to the provincial power grid. Upon grid connection, the community turned off the diesel generators which had previously provided them primary power.
North Caribou Lake Chief Cornelious Benson states, “Grid connection has been a long time coming. Diesel generation was unsafe, unreliable, and inadequate to meet the needs of the growing community. Since connection, we have been able to connect a new school, police station, a number of housing and trailer units, and many building upgrades.”
The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system connects the North Caribou Lake community distribution system to the Ontario grid through a total of 590 km of line and four substations, originating from the Dinorwic Substation near Highway 17. Connected on October 5, 2022, North Caribou Lake was the second First Nation energized by the provincial power grid through the Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system. North Caribou Lake continues to be served by Hydro One Remotes Communities Inc. (HORCI) for the local distribution of electricity.
“North Caribou Lake First Nation has been in discussions since the mid-1990s to bring reliable energy to the community. We finally did it and congratulations!” remarks Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power. “This is my home, and it is a very special day for me. We have traveled a long path that saw successes, learning opportunities, and false starts to get us to this point. We are not done yet! Connecting all 17 First Nations and achieving the vision of 100% ownership of this major infrastructure in our homeland is important for our future generations.”
Eliezar Mckay, First Nation LP Board Chair, states, “24 First Nations are working together to bring reliable power to the north, with infrastructure owned by the First Nations. Not only is this project going to be immediately beneficial to the communities, but it will also be an asset for our future generations to own, manage and build upon.”
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 ‘line that brings light’, a $1.9 billion dollar infrastructure project, a reality for remote, northern Ontario First Nations. The 1,800 km Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Line will ultimately connect 171 remote First Nations to the Ontario power grid, removing their reliance on diesel-generated electricity.
“Congratulations North Caribou Lake First Nation! We continue to celebrate the progress of this unprecedented project and work hard to meet the expectations of the people,” remarks Frank Mckay, Board Chair for the Wataynikaneyap Power General Partnership (WPGP).
“North Caribou Lake First Nation has benefited from being connected to the main Ontario electricity grid for nearly a year,” said David Hutchens, President and CEO, Fortis Inc. “Having shut down its diesel engines, the community has reduced its carbon emissions and secured room for current and future growth. We are proud to partner with all 24 First Nations in building the transmission line throughout Northwestern Ontario and look forward to project completion,” said David Hutchens, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis Inc.
On September 14, North Caribou Lake invited Wataynikaneyap Power, Opiikapawiin Services, government, and other stakeholders to celebrate this momentous occasion in the community, following their annual Hunting Festival.
“The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project is the largest Indigenous-led grid connection infrastructure project in Canada. Today’s celebration marks an end to North Caribou Lake First Nation’s reliance on diesel-generated electricity. The completion and energization of the transmission line to the First Nation will provide the community with clean, safe, and reliable energy that will have a significant effect on the wellbeing of community members. Congratulations to North Caribou Lake First Nation and Wataynikaneyap Power on this significant milestone,” states the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor).
The Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Energy, who was in attendance, remarks, “Congratulations to Wataynikaneyap Power and North Caribou Lake First Nation on this extraordinary achievement in bringing reliable, clean and affordable electricity to the community. Our government is proud to support this First-Nation led project that is connecting communities to Ontario’s clean grid, unlocking new opportunities for community development.”
About Wataynikaneyap Power
Wataynikaneyap Power is a licensed transmission company majority-owned by a partnership of 24 First Nations in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other private investors, regulated by the Ontario Energy Board. FortisOntario Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc., acts as the project manager through its wholly owned subsidiary, Wataynikaneyap Power PM Inc. The 24 First Nations also established Opiikapawiin Services to lead the community engagement and participation for Wataynikaneyap Power LP. To connect remote communities to the electrical grid, Wataynikaneyap Power will develop, manage construction, and operate approximately 1,800 kilometres of transmission lines in northwestern Ontario. For further information, please visit: www.wataypower.ca.
About First Nation Limited Partnership
First Nation Limited Partnership (FNLP) is a partnership of 24 First Nations in Northwestern Ontario working together to connect 17 remote communities currently powered by diesel generation stations. FNLP was established in 2015 to be the ownership and control of the participating First Nations’ interest in Wataynikaneyap Power LP. The 51% interest in Wataynikaneyap Power LP is equally owned by each of the 24 First Nation communities and FNLP will maintain their ability to increase their ownership to 100% over time.
About Fortis
Fortis is a well-diversified leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry with 2022 revenue of $11 billion and total assets of $64 billion as of June 30, 2023. The Corporation's 9,200 employees serve utility customers in five Canadian provinces, ten U.S. states and three Caribbean countries. Fortis shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com, www.sedar.com, or www.sec.gov.
About Opiikapawiin Services
Opiikapawiin Services LP (OSLP) was established by a partnership of 24 First Nations in Northwestern Ontario. OSLP is primarily responsible for administering projects and programs for Wataynikaneyap Power PM through a service agreement, relating to community engagement, community readiness, education & training, business readiness, stakeholder engagement, communications, and capacity building. OSLP also supports the First Nation Partnership in the management of its investment in Wataynikaneyap Power. For additional information, please visit: www.oslp.ca
Media Contacts
| Kristine Carmichael, Director of Corporate and Customer Services FortisOntario Inc. (905) 994-3637 Kristine.Carmichael@fortisontario.com | Mary Kita, Manager, Communications Wataynikaneyap Power (807) 631-7503 Mary.Kita@wataypower.ca |
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1 Wataynikaneyap will continue to work with McDowell Lake First Nation, the 17th community, with the goal of becoming grid connected in the future.
