REMOTE COMMUNITIES

Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. generates and distributes electricity to 21 communities in the most northern part of the province.  Due to the lack of grid connection, we generate electricity to meet our obligations under Section 26 of the Electricity Act, 1998. Diesel generation is currently the prime source of electricity within these communities, but we also own and operate two run-of-the-river mini-hydro electric generating facilities (see photo of Shoulderblade Falls generating station, right) and four demonstration project windmills. 

The communities are isolated and scattered across Ontario’s far north. Thirteen can only be accessed by aircraft or winter roads, and in the case of one community, by barge. Transporting staff, fuel and equipment across our vast, isolated service territory is one of our key logistical challenges.

Most of our customers are First Nations and Metis people, who speak English, Ojibway, Oji-Cree and/or Cree. We often contract with local Band Councils for services, such as: plant operation and maintenance, meter reading, environmental remediation and janitorial work. 

Since 1999, we have used an Environmental Management System (EMS) to help us reduce our environmental footprint and maintain biodiversity in these environmentally sensitive areas of the province.

To learn more about how we overcome unique challenges to bring electricity to the far north, read any of our quarterly newsletters, or watch our video Hydro One Remotes: Powering the North, below:

 Remote Communities Newsletter - Spring 2011 (354 KB)
 Remote Communities Newsletter - Fall 2010 (303 KB)
 Remote Communities Newsletter - Summer 2010 (516 KB)
 Remote Communities Newsletter - Spring 2010 (288 KB)