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ONTARIO Ontario Supporting the Largest Indigenous-led Energy Project in Province’s History

Thursday, 12 September 2024 02:37.PM

- New transmission lines will ultimately connect 18,000 people in 16 remote Indigenous communities to affordable energy -

The Ontario government and Wataynikaneyap (Watay) Power, a First Nations-led company made up of 24 Indigenous communities, are advancing the second phase of the Watay Power Transmission Project, which is the largest Indigenous-led and lengthiest grid connection project in Ontario’s history. Through the second phase of this partnership between Ontario and Watay Power, Sachigo Lake First Nation will become the latest community to connect to clean, reliable, and affordable energy, ending the community’s reliance on costly diesel-powered generators.

“Ontario needs to generate, store, and transmit more power as we face unprecedented growth. It is a priority for our government to expand and connect clean and affordable energy to some of the most remote northern communities, helping improve the quality of life of First Nation communities as we work to displace all diesel generators with clean electricity,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “We are proud to support Wataynikaneyap Power and Sachigo Lake First Nation in the largest Indigenous-led energy project in our province's history that will connect northern communities to clean and reliable energy, unlocking jobs and opportunity for generations to come."

Approximately 1,800 kilometres of transmission line are being built by Watay Power Transmission Project through a government loan of up to $1.34 billion for the project’s construction costs to service the remote populations. Once built, the Watay transmission line will connect more than 18,000 people in 16 remote communities and estimated to avoid 6.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to taking almost 35,000 cars off the road.

Sachigo Lake Chief Simon Tait remarked, “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. With this connection, we are no longer constrained by the limits of the diesel generators.”

The project achieved its first major milestone with the early connection of Pikangikum First Nation in December 2018. Construction on the rest of the project commenced in February 2020 and was substantially completed in summer 2024. The Watay line is estimated to contribute over $1 billion to Ontario’s GDP by connecting communities to affordable electricity and well-paying local jobs. Since the project’s conception, nearly one thousand First Nation members worked on the construction of the line.

“As someone who has lived and worked as a nurse in remote Indigenous communities across Canada, I can attest to how critical it is to have reliable infrastructure including access to clean, affordable energy,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “The Watay Power Transmission Project has been a major priority during both my federal and provincial chapters, and I’m proud that our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is unlocking unprecedented economic reconciliation opportunities for First Nations across the North.”

The government is fostering partnerships with Indigenous and First Nation communities to not only support economic growth in the region but also enhance environmental and health benefits for these communities through emission reductions, enhanced electricity reliability, and the elimination of carcinogenic diesel.

“We are so pleased to be celebrating with Sachigo Lake First Nation today. This has been a remarkable journey, which started over 30 years ago,” said Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power. “We have followed the Chiefs’ mandate to bring cleaner, more reliable power to remote First Nations, with First Nation-led and majority owned infrastructure on the Homelands.”

"Congratulations Sachigo Lake First Nation! Now that daily power needs are being met, we can all focus on looking to future opportunities, instead of band-aid solutions."
- Eliezar Mckay, First Nation LP Board Chair

Quick Facts

• Sachigo Lake First Nation, located 425 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout, has an on-reserve population of 540 people, with a total registered population of 966.
• An estimated $1 billion will be avoided from costly diesel over forty years.
• The Wataynikaneyap Power Project will end reliance on costly diesel generation for 16 remote First Nation communities through connection to Ontario’s clean electricity grid. McDowell Lake First Nation may be connected at a future date.
• As of September 2024, 12 remote First Nations communities have been connected to Ontario’s clean energy grid through the project.

SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Energy and Electrification

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