This project is the largest investment in hydroelectric power in Northern Ontario in nearly 40 years. It has four components, which include the rebuilding of the Smoky Falls Generating Station as well as the addition of new generating units at the Harmon, Kipling, and Little Long generating stations. By the time work is completed, the capacity of the Lower Mattagami plants will have increased to 924 from 486 MW.
Smoky Falls was originally constructed in 1931, while the others were built in the 1960s. In order to accommodate the additional energy that will be supplied because of this project, Hydro One is adding an additional 230-kV circuit to the transmission line that runs from the Harmon Junction to the Kipling Generating Station, running approximately 4 km. The Moose Cree Nation will have up to a 25-percent equity share in the project. Construction is ongoing with the entire project slated for completion in 2015.
