Click here to join the Waasigan Virtual Information Session Livestream Presentation

Hydro One is hosting a virtual information session that will include both a livestream presentation and telephone conference. By joining, you will have an opportunity to learn more about the project and the draft Terms of Reference, as well as ask live questions to members of our project team.

How to participate

Please join us on:

  • Thursday, July 30, 2020

  • 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. EDT / 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. CDT

1. To register in advance and view the livestream presentation, click here.

2. To participate via telephone conference, dial +1-800-247-6004 at the time of the event.

3. To submit a question in advance or for more information, please contact Hydro One Community Relations at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or 1-877-345-6799.


As part of our outreach, you may also receive automated calls on July 27 and July 30 inviting you to the event.


Waasigan Transmission Line Project Logo
Hydro One is committed to energizing life for communities and businesses in northwestern Ontario. Energizing life means more than supplying safe and reliable power, it means listening and taking action to meet your needs. The northwest has advocated for an increase in power for many years to support community and industry growth.

We are investing in the development work for the Waasigan Transmission Line to support community and industry growth.



The draft Terms of Reference is available for review and comment. Click here to view it and provide your feedback.

Project Overview

The Waasigan Transmission Line is a proposed new double-circuit 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between Lakehead Transformer Station (TS) in the Municipality of Shuniah and Mackenzie TS in the Town of Atikokan, and a new single-circuit 230 kV transmission line between Mackenzie TS and Dryden TS in the City of Dryden.

There are a host of mining and forestry activities in the region that play a key role in driving economic growth in the northwest and in the communities who support them. According to a recent mining readiness report by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, mining-related electricity demand in the northwest is expected to increase 180% over the next five years. Investing in the development of this new line now will ensure power is available when it’s needed. Waasigan will bring an additional 350 megawatts to the region, which is more than twenty times what it takes to power the City of Dryden, or enough to power 100,000 homes.

Environmental Assessment Process

The Waasigan Transmission Line project is subject to an environmental assessment process. In October 2020, Hydro One submitted a Terms of Reference to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for the project, as required under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act. The Terms of Reference is the first step in the environmental assessment process. If approved, it will provide the framework for the second step of the process – the environmental assessment. The environmental assessment will evaluate and determine a preferred route and assess the potential effects of the project.

View Terms of Reference View Record of Consultation

View our interactive map showing the project area and the alternatives routes identified for the project, which will be further evaluated in the environmental assessment.


View Interactive Map


Timeline

  • April 2019

  • Notice of commencement of the Terms of Reference for the environmental assessment

  • Spring 2019 -
    Spring 2020

  • Consultation, data collection, and development of corridor alternatives

  • June 29 -
    Aug 14 2020

  • Draft Terms of Reference review

  • Fall 2020

  • Proposed Terms of Reference submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks


  • 2021

  • Terms of Reference decision by Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

  • 2021

  • Notice of Commencement of environmental assessment

  • 2021 - 2022

  • Consultation and data collection on environmental assessment study areas

  • 2022

  • Draft environmental assessment review

  • 2022

  • Leave to Construct (Section 92) application submission*

  • 2023/2024

  • Decision on Environmental Assessment by Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

  • 2023/2024

  • Leave to Construct (Section 92) application approval

  • By end
    of 2024

  • Complete development work




*Leave to Construct under Section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 is a regulatory process to obtain approval from the OEB to build and operate a transmission line. Hydro One will not apply for this approval until direction is received by the IESO to proceed with the project.

NOTE: All dates are anticipated and could change based on project feedback.


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Maps

View maps related to this project here.

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Meet the Project Team

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Project Approvals

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Public Consultation

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Working with Indigenous Communities

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Project Approvals

The need for this project has been identified by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) through their long term electricity planning. Hydro One believes that bringing power to northwestern Ontario is important for supporting future economic growth in the region. The Waasigan Transmission Line will undergo an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

The Environmental Assessment Process

This EA will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The first step is the preparation of a Terms of Reference (ToR) which will set out the framework and work plan for addressing these requirements when preparing the EA, including an outline of the studies and consultation activities that will be carried out. Important aspects of the EA process will be to identify and evaluate alternative routes, assess potential effects of the new transmission line and determine measures to reduce or mitigate these effects.

The anticipated completion date for the ToR mid- 2020, at which point it will be submitted to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for review and decision. If approved by the Minister, the EA will then proceed as outlined in the approved ToR.


Public Consultation

We want to hear from the public to ensure that our project delivers tangible benefits to local communities.

Check back for updates on our next round of drop-in Community information Centres.


Working with Indigenous Communities

Development work for the Waasigan Transmission Line is founded on open, respectful and collaborative consultation with communities.

Together with Indigenous communities in the project area, Hydro One is exploring and discussing project details and potential benefits the Waasigan Transmission Line can bring.

Hydro One's Indigenous engagement process is designed to provide relevant project information to Indigenous communities proximate to the project in a timely manner.

Contact Us

To provide comments or to be added to the project contact list, please call or email:

Tel: 1-877-345-6799

Community.Relations@HydroOne.com