Province supporting largest First Nation-led electricity project in Ontario’s history
NORTH CARIBOU LAKE FIRST NATION – The community of North Caribou Lake First Nation is celebrating its connection to the province’s clean electricity grid after the energization of the First Nation-led Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project, ending the community’s reliance on costly diesel generation. Earlier this summer, Bearskin Lake First Nation also celebrated its connection to the provincial grid.
“Congratulations to Wataynikaneyap Power and North Caribou Lake First Nation on this extraordinary achievement in bringing reliable, clean and affordable electricity to the community,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “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.”
The Ontario Government is supporting the construction of the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project through a loan of up to $1.34 billion for the project’s construction costs, enabling the project to move forward. “Grid connection has been a long time coming. Diesel generation was unsafe, unreliable, and inadequate to meet the needs of the growing community,” said North Caribou Lake First Nation chief Cornelius Benson. Since connection, we have been able to connect a new school, police station, a number of housing and trailer units and many building upgrades.”
Once completed, the project will connect more than 18,000 people living in 16 remote First Nations across northwestern Ontario with a reliable, affordable supply of electricity – the largest and most far-reaching First Nation grid connection project in Ontario’s history. The project achieved its first major milestone in August 2022 with the completion and energization of a 230kV segment known as the Line to Pickle Lake. This line is approximately 300 kilometres (km) in length and connects Dinorwic to Pickle Lake. Pikangikum First Nation joined the grid in December 2018 and North Caribou Lake and Kingfisher Lake First Nation were connected in fall 2022. Bearskin Lake First Nation joined the provincial grid in July 2023. Five more communities will be energized later this year and the remaining seven communities are expected to join the grid in 2024.
“As we look to connect more northern and Indigenous communities to reliable, affordable and clean electricity, First Nation-led partnerships like Wataynikaneyap Power and North Caribou Lake First Nation are leading the way, and the Ontario government is proud to support,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “We are confident that this project will support economic growth across the North while connecting First Nations to Ontario energy grid.” This project supports economic growth in northwestern Ontario by connecting First Nation people and communities with affordable electricity and good, local jobs. Cutting the use of local diesel-powered generation also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and noise in the community.
“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!” said 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 per cent ownership of this major infrastructure in our homeland is important for our future generations.”