NAN applauds Wataynikaneyap Power transmission project milestone

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, on behalf of the Executive Council, applauds Wataynikaneyap Power who today confirmed financial close and issued the notice to proceed for a transmission project that will connect remote First Nation communities in NAN territory to the provincial power grid:

“Another milestone has been reached and we congratulate Wataynikaneyap Power and everyone involved for their dedication and determination to make this project a reality. The Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project will bring reliable supplies of electricity to many of our remote First Nations and we look forward to its completion. Connecting our remote First Nations to the provincial energy grid will finally end their reliance on expensive and environmentally harmful diesel generation. This will improve the health of our members, and help bring jobs and other economic benefits to our communities.”

The Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project is majority-owned by 24 First Nations in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other private investors. The project will build approximately 1,800 kilometres of transmission lines in northwestern Ontario to connect 17 remote First Nations communities to the Ontario power grid.

Construction has been underway since 2018 and is expected to be completed by 2023. Pikangikum First Nation was the first community to be connected in December 2018.

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca