THUNDER BAY -- A plan to connect remote First Nation communities to the grid will serve as a foundation for the future, chiefs say.
Wataynikaneyap Power, owned by 20 communities, signed on with FortisOntario and RES Canada Thursday morning to build transmission for 16 of those communities.
A ceremony attended by chiefs, business leaders and provincial energy minister Bob Chiarelli Wataynikaneyap chair Margaret Kenequanash said the deal isn't about those in the room today but future generations. After eight years of planning, signing the agreement is historic.
"This is a major milestone," she said.
The $1.35 billion two-phase project would see a transmission corridor start in Wabigoon and head North. The group is hoping to see the start around 2017. Connecting to the grid will save money in the long-run as diesel generation costs communities up to $180,000 in fuel alone. Many communities are also already at capacity.
"They are building houses but they can't connect," Kenequanash said.
"It compromises the basic needs of our people."
FortisOntario CEO Bill Daley said the transmission business is at the core of what his company does.
"This is a great opportunity to continue to grow that business in Ontario and also be part of something that's of huge significance in Ontario for First Nations," he said.
