THUNDER BAY — The Ford government says it plans to fast-track construction of a new transmission line between Dryden and Red Lake.
The project is a “key-priority” as the Red Lake district is anticipating a 525 per cent increase in demand for energy, said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, at media conference in Thunder Bay on Thursday.
The 162-kilometre Red Lake Transmission Line will help power growth in the mining industry, with 41 potential new mines expected by 2033, according to a government media release.
“Our government is on a mission to grow our economy by generating more reliable hydro power in the north and electrifying one of Ontario’s most mineral rich regions with a new transmission line,” Lecce is quoted as saying.
The minister also announced a new northern hydro program that will renew contracts for all hydroelectric projects in the North, securing over 1,000 megawatts of existing hydro power.
Northern communities have faced limited transmission capacity and outages for too long, said Red Lake Mayor Fred Mota.
“This project lays the groundwork for long-term sustainability. A stronger transmission system will allow for greater integration of cleaner energy,” said Mota.
The double-circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line will be built by Hydro One in 50/50 partnership with First Nations, and will run from Dryden, to Ear Falls, to Red Lake. It is expected to support 5,800 jobs and generate $830 million in GDP.
The provincial government “has been providing, in many cases, a backstop or loan guarantee to help support First Nations to buy in,” said Lecce, calling the program “the most progressive model in the country” and saying other provinces are looking to match Ontario’s model.
The chiefs of Wabauskang, Eagle Lake First Nation, Lac Seul First Nation and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation were present for the announcement.
Wabauskang Chief Bill Petiquan said he will stand behind the project “whatever it takes to run this line.”
Lac Seul Chief Clifford Bull said the transmission line project will support economic development in Red Lake, including the Great Bear Gold Project, where the First Nation is also a partner.
“More importantly, it will provide long-term energy capacity to the First Nations north of Red Lake, so they can continue to develop the housing and infrastructure that is so badly needed,” said Bull.
When asked about power outages in communities like Nibinamik First Nation, which delacred a state of emergency this winter, Lecce replied that the government is “on a roll” in expanding energy and improving reliability, calling the situation in Nibinamik “unacceptable.”
The renewal of all hydroelectric through the northern hydro program “will secure eligible facilities for another 25 years and ensure that those investments continue” said Paul Norris, president of the Ontario Waterpower Association.
“We have not had net-new hydro approved in this province for over a decade. Today we’re authorizing and we’re committing ourselves to a long-lead procurement” he said. “We’re saying yes to re-contract every single hydro project in the North.”
These long lead time procurements will run through the Independent Electricity System Operator and, according to its website, are requests for proposals that require more time for project development and include longer term contracts.
According to Norris, they will result in hydroelectric investments that will help unlock untapped water power potential in northern Ontario.
