Sandy Lake First Nation Energized by Wataynikaneyap Power
June 21 2024 - 1:00PM
Wataynikaneyap Power is pleased to announce the energization of
Sandy Lake First Nation. The northern Ontario community was
connected to the provincial power grid on April 18, 2024.
“It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the
community’s connection to the power grid on Indigenous Peoples’
Day,” Sandy Lake Chief Delores Kakegamic comments. “The
Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system means more than reliable
electricity for the community. It means we can build new homes and
buildings, such as our new Health Centre, and connect them to
power. It means we will no longer need to react, almost daily, to
power outages. It is infrastructure that helps the community, owned
by Sandy Lake First Nation itself, as one of the 24 First Nation
partnership.”
On June 21, Sandy Lake First Nation invited
Wataynikaneyap Power, Opiikapawiin Services, government, and other
stakeholders to celebrate this momentous occasion in the
community.
“Congratulations to Sandy Lake First Nation!”
remarks Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power. “I
remember in one community engagement session, we were informed that
Sandy Lake First Nation just installed two new 2-MW generators, and
yet the Chief and Council were very concerned that they were
reaching their capacity very quickly. Given the challenges we were
dealing with at that time, it seemed impossible that Sandy Lake
First Nation would be connected to a reliable power source. But
here we are celebrating! I also want to acknowledge former and
current Sandy Lake leaders for their advocacy to bring reliable
energy into the communities. A growing community like Sandy Lake
First Nation needs reliable power to advance community development
initiatives, improve infrastructure, and to provide the best for
community members. That has been accomplished today.”
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.
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.
Eliezar Mckay, First Nation LP Board Chair,
states, “This infrastructure allows remote First Nations in Ontario
to replace diesel-generation as their primary source of power. I
look forward to seeing what opportunities our People will take on
now that there is a clean, adequate power supply.”
Sandy Lake First Nation is a remote community
located about 600 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, near the
Manitoba border. There are no all-season roads; it is only
accessible by air during the majority of the year and via ice road
during the short winter season. The Wataynikaneyap Power
transmission system connects the Sandy Lake community distribution
system to the Ontario grid through approximately 230 km of
transmission system, originating from Red Lake, Ontario. Sandy Lake
will continue to be served by Hydro One Remotes Communities Inc.
(HORCI) for local distribution of electricity.
Sandy Lake was the 12th First Nation connected
to the provincial power grid through the Wataynikaneyap Power
transmission system. Currently, 16 First Nations’ assets are
energized and 12 are grid connected.
“The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system is
100% completed. The rapid pace of construction has been
unbelievable, considering ground crews were barely established
before the pandemic hit. We will continue to celebrate with each
First Nation and share in their excitement as they are able to turn
off their diesel generators and finally connect more infrastructure
to power. Congratulations Sandy Lake!” remarks Frank Mckay, Board
Chair for the Wataynikaneyap Power General Partnership (WPGP).
“On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, Fortis
is pleased to congratulate Sandy Lake Chief Delores Kakegamic and
community members on this momentous occasion,” said David Hutchens,
President and CEO, Fortis Inc. “The new connection to the Ontario
electricity grid not only provides reliable, secure power to the
people of Sandy Lake but also provides opportunities for growth in
the community.”
About Wataynikaneyap
PowerWataynikaneyap 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 is developing, managing construction, and
operating approximately 1,800 kilometres of transmission lines and
22 substations in northwestern Ontario. For further information,
please visit: www.wataypower.ca.
About First Nation
Limited PartnershipFirst 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 FortisFortis is a
well-diversified leader in the North American regulated electric
and gas utility industry with 2023 revenue of $12 billion and total
assets of $68 billion as of March 31, 2024. 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
ServicesOpiikapawiin 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
ServicesFortisOntario Inc.(905)
994-3637Kristine.Carmichael@fortisontario.com |
Mary Kita, Manager, CommunicationsWataynikaneyap Power(807)
631-7503Mary.Kita@wataypower.ca |