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Waasigan Transmission Line Project Logo
Hydro One has been a part of Northwestern Ontario for more than 50 years. We live and work in the North and plan to continue powering the communities, homes and businesses for many more years to come.

This is why we are beginning work on a new high-voltage transmission line from Thunder Bay to Atikokan, and north to Dryden. This proposed line will bring increased capacity and reliability to the region and open the North to more development opportunities.

Hydro One has named the project the Waasigan Transmission Line; Waasigan is an Ojibwe word for “bringing power.”

 

Project Overview

The Waasigan Transmission Line Project study area is for a 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. Read our newspaper ad (aussi disponible en français).

 

Waasigan Study Area Map
Click to enlarge (.PDF) 

Download the Orthographic Maps  


 

Timeline: Public and Stakeholder Consultation

  • April 2019

  • Notice of commencement of the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Assessment

  • Spring 2019 - winter 2020

  • Draft and finalize the Terms of Reference

  • Summer 2020

  • Decision on Terms of Reference by Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

  • Summer 2020

  • Commencement of Environmental Assessment


  • 2020 - 2022

  • Consultation and data collection

  • 2022

  • Leave to construct application submission*

  • 2023 - 2024

  • Decision on EA by Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

  • 2023 / 2024

  • Leave to Construct application approval*




*Leave to Construct under Section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act is a regulatory process to obtain approval from the Ontario Energy Board to build and operate a transmission line.

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 our project delivers tangible benefits to local communities. We hosted a series of Public Information Centre (PIC) drop-ins along the proposed route from May 13-15, 2019 for interested parties to meet members of our project team, learn more about the Waasigan Transmission Line and provide feedback. See materials from the PICs below:

Download the PIC Panels  

Download the Info Sheet  

Download the Project Flyer  


 
 

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