Thunder Bay:  Wataynikaneyap Power announced today that the company and AECOM, working in association with PowerTel and Deutsche Bank, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help build a new transmission line in Northwestern Ontario.

The AECOM-led team will provide design, construction and financial services for the project. A qualified, licenced transmission partner will also be selected, who will partly own and operate the line. The project’s first phase is a new transmission line to Pickle Lake, Ontario. The second phase will consist of connecting remote First Nations communities to the provincial power grid.

“Our goal is the grid connection of remote communities and the elimination of dependency on diesel generation,” says Margaret Kenequanash, chair of Wataynikaneyap Power. “There are many health, safety, and environmental concerns with diesel generation and it does not meet the needs of our communities. Grid connection will change that, and our partnership will provide the necessary expertise to move this important infrastructure project forward.”

“AECOM and our project partners share Wataynikaneyap Power’s vision to bring grid transmission connections to other remote areas in the region,” said Damien Tholomier, AECOM’s regional energy business line leader in Canada.  “We are excited that this work will improve residents’ quality of life while creating infrastructure that meets the highest technical and professional standards.”

Wataynikaneyap Power is currently 50 per cent owned by 18 First Nation communities and Goldcorp. Over the long term, ownership of Wataynikaneyap Power by the First Nation communities will gradually increase to become a predominantly Aboriginal-owned enterprise expanding its development of other transmission line projects in the north.

Once developed and operational, this project will benefit member communities by providing consistent, accessible, and reliable electric power, enabling economic development and opportunities for employment.