Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project

Rank 2024

46

Image Credit: Wataynikaneyap Power

Industry Sector: Energy

Project Type: Transmission

Project Value: $1.9 billion

Funding Source: Public/Private

Federal Funding: $560 million

Provincial Funding: Government of Ontario loan: $1.34 billion

Province: Ontario

City / Region: Northern Ontario

Estimated End Date of Substantial Completion: 2024

Wataynikaneyap Power is majority-owned by a partnership of 24 First Nations, in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other private investors, and regulated by the Ontario Energy Board. To connect remote communities to the electrical grid, Wataynikaneyap Power will develop, manage construction, and operate approximately 1,800 kilometres of transmission lines and 22 substations in northwestern Ontario. Ultimately, 17 remote First Nations will be connected to the power grid, ending their electrical load restrictions and reliance on diesel generation as their primary power source. As of August 2023, five communities have been energized and construction is 95 per cent complete. 

Project Owner: Wataynikaneyap Power

Engineer: Hatch (owner’s engineer); Wood- a WSP company (consulting)

Contractor: EPC Contract: Valard Construction

Environmental Services: Giiwedin Environmental; Woodland Heritage; Golder-a WSP company (environmental Services-Phase 1 EA)

Other Key Players: Deutsche Bank (MOU for design, construction, and financial services); PwC (financial feasibility study and socioeconomic impact analysis); Arcadis-IBI Group (Phase 2 routing study); EY (consultant); INTECH Risk Management; Englobe; TULLOCH

Management Consultants: EY

Legal: Torys (legal advisor); McMillan LLP (for the federal government); Stikeman Elliott LLP

Transmission Line Length (km): 1800

Financing Detail: Wataynikaneyap has invested approximately $16 million to date on pre-development activities. Government funding is still required to make the project a reality.

2023 Rank: 39

2022 Rank: 40

2021 Rank: 35

2020 Rank: 32

2019 Rank: 36

2018 Rank: 40

2017 Rank: 36

2016 Rank: 37