Waasigan Transmission Line Project

Come to our Open houses in May. See details below.

Hydro One wants to support growth in northwestern Ontario and energize life for communities and businesses in the region. 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 now so that power is available when it’s needed.

Thank you for joining our recent Community Open Houses!

If you were unable to attend the in-person open houses May 3 – 5 and missed the virtual open house on May 18, please know a recording of the virtual open house will be made available soon. In the meantime, the materials from the in-person open houses are available here. You can also contact us at anytime, at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or toll-free 1-877-345-6799.

Project Overview

The Waasigan Transmission Line is a proposed new double-circuit 230 kilovolt 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 kilovolt transmission line between Mackenzie TS and Dryden TS in the City of Dryden. Demand for more electricity is anticipated as early as the mid-2020s, and we are undertaking the development work now, including an environmental assessment, so we are ready to support the region’s electricity needs.

Mining and forestry play a key role in driving economic growth in the northwest. According to the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission’s 2021 mining readiness report, mining-related electricity demand in the northwest is expected to increase 180% over the next five years. Waasigan will bring an additional 350 megawatts of power to the region, enough to supply approximately 11 new average mining operations.

View our interactive map showing the project area and the alternatives routes identified for the project. A preferred route will be selected during the environmental assessment following an evaluation of the alternative routes.

View Interactive Map

Waasigan Transmission Line Map

Enlarge (.PDF) en français (.PDF)

Environmental Assessment (EA) Process

The project is subject to a comprehensive environmental assessment process under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act. As part of the EA, we are evaluating the alternative routes to select a preferred route for the new line that is considerate of the natural environment, socio-economic environment, technical and cost, and Indigenous community values.

Hydro One commenced the EA on March 9, 2022.

View EA Notice of Commencement aussi disponible en français

Click here to learn more.

Working with Indigenous Communities

We are committed to working together with Indigenous communities throughout the life cycle of Waasigan to build a brighter future for all.

Click here to learn more.

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

February 2022

Terms of Reference approved by Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

MARCH
9, 2022

Notice of Commencement of environmental assessment

2022 - 2023

Consultation and data collection on environmental assessment study areas

2023

Draft environmental assessment review

2023

Leave to Construct (Section 92) application submission to the Ontario Energy Board*

2024

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

2024

Leave to Construct (Section 92) application approval from the Ontario Energy Board (anticipated)

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.