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FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION, Ontario, Nov. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vatainikaneiap Power announces the activation of Kingfisher Lake First Nation, a remote community in northern Ontario, connected to the province’s electricity grid on November 8, 2022. connected to the grid and to a reliable power source, the community turned off its diesel generators that previously provided primary electricity to this remote community.
Vatainikaneiap Power’s transmission system connects the distribution system of the community of Kingfisher Lake to the Ontario grid via a total of 250 km of line and two substations, originating from its Pickle Lake substation. Kingfisher Lake will continue to be served by Hydro One Remotes Communities Inc. (HORCI) for local electricity distribution.
“Access to reliable energy will lead to many improvements for our people and community.” Schools, households and businesses were negatively affected by frequent power outages. Improvements in health, education, food security and technology will no longer be constrained by the limited capacity of diesel generators,” says Kingfisher Lake Chief Eddie Mamakwa.
The grid connection is essential to power the future needs of the community, including a new subdivision and the opening of a new school in the fall of 2023.
“It took many years and today we have reached a significant milestone.” I am very excited to celebrate the connection of Kingfisher Lake First Nation,” says Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Vatainikaneiap Power. “With a clear mandate from our Chiefs and the support of our partners, connecting to the provincial electricity grid brings reliable, clean energy to our communities through infrastructure majority-owned by 24 First Nations,” says Kenequanash.
The 1,800 km Vatainikaneiap Power Transmission Line will eventually connect 17 remote First Nations to Ontario’s electricity grid, removing their reliance on diesel-generated electricity. Vatainikaneiap Power, in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other private investors, is making the ‘Line That Brings Light,’ a $1.9 billion infrastructure project, a reality for Ontario’s remote, northern First Nations.
“This is a tremendous achievement for the community and all 24 First Nation majority owners in the project,” says Frank McKay, board chair for the Vatainikaneiap Power General Partnership (VPGP). “Miigvech to all our service providers and partners who have supported our vision.”
“We join all residents of Kingfisher Lake First Nation in celebrating their connection to Ontario’s electricity grid,” said David Hutchens, president and chief executive officer of Fortis Inc. “This is a great achievement that will help create opportunities for the community.” We look forward to the continued progress of the Vatainikaneiap project and the successful connection of all 17 First Nations to the network.
“Canada’s largest First Nations-led infrastructure project continues to move north,” says Eliezar Mckai, First Nation LP board chair. “I congratulate the team on this achievement and look forward to seeing more communities connected in the near future.”
On November 23, Kingfisher Lake invited Vatainikaneiap Power, Opiikapawiin Services, government and other stakeholders to celebrate this momentous occasion in the community.
The Honorable Patty Hyde, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, says, “I congratulate the Kingfisher Lake First Nation and the Watajnikaniyap Power on this incredible milestone. This massive First Nations-led project has been years in the making and will pave the way for more investment in cleaner energy sources while improving the quality of life for community members in Kingfisher Lake. This is an example of reliable infrastructure that benefits both the community and the environment, and I’m excited to see more of these milestones in other communities connect.”
The Honorable Todd Smith, Minister of Energy says, “On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I congratulate Vatainikaneiap Power on this remarkable achievement in bringing reliable and affordable electricity to remote First Nation communities. Connecting to Ontario’s Clean Grid will help strengthen the local economy and unlock further community development opportunities for Kingfisher Lake First Nation. As the largest First Nation grid connection project in the history of the province, we look forward to electrifying the rest of the communities in the Northwest.
Kingfisher Lake has become the third First Nation to be connected to the province’s electricity grid through the Vatainikaneyap Power transmission line infrastructure project. Pikangikum First Nation was commissioned in December 2018, while North Cariboo Lake First Nation was connected to the grid in October 2022.
O Vatainikaneiap PoverVatainikaneiap 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 subsidiary of Fortis Inc. wholly owned, acts as project manager through its wholly owned subsidiary, Vatainikaneiap Power PM Inc. 24 First Nations also established Opiikapawiin Services to lead community engagement and participation for Vatainikaneiap Power LP. To connect remote communities to the electricity grid, Vatainikaneiap Power will develop, manage the construction and operate approximately 1,800 kilometers of transmission lines in Northwestern Ontario. For additional information, visit: www.vataipover.ca.
About the First Nation Limited partnershipThe First Nation Limited Partnership (FNLP) is a partnership of 24 First Nations in northwestern Ontario working together to connect 17 remote communities that are currently powered by diesel generating stations. FNLP was established in 2015 to be the ownership and control interest of First Nations participating in Vatainikaneiap Power LP. A 51% stake in Vatainikaneiap Power LP is owned equally by each of the 24 First Nation communities and FNLP will retain its ability to increase its ownership to 100% over time.
About FortisFortis is a well-diversified leader in the North American regulated electric and gas industry with revenues of $9.4 billion in 2021 and total assets of $64 billion as of September 30, 2022. The Corporation’s 9,100 employees serve utility customers in five Canadian provinces, nine American states and three Caribbean countries. Fortis shares are listed on TSX and NISE and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be found at www.fortisinc.com, www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov.
About Opiikapavi’s 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 Vatainikaneiap Power PM through service contracts, related to community engagement, community readiness, education and training, business readiness, stakeholder engagement, communication and capacity building. OSLP also supports the First Nation Partnership in managing its investment in Vatainikaneiap Power. For additional information, visit: www.oslp.ca
Media contacts
| Christine Carmichael, Director of Corporate and Customer Services, FortisOntario Inc. (905) 994-3637[email protected] | Marie Kita, Manager, Communications Vatainikaneiap Pover(807) 631-7503[email protected] |
Source: Vatainikaneiap Pover
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