Hydro One says it has received the go-ahead from the provincial Ministry of the Environment to start construction work on the Waasigan Transmission Line project.

The utility, working alongside nine First Nation partners, announced it has received approval from the ministry on the project’s final environmental assessment report.

The Waasigan Transmission Line project, which will run west of Thunder Bay, is expected to bring an additional 350 megawatts of electricity to the region to meet the current and future energy needs of Ontario’s northwest communities.

Hydro One will build the project in partnership with nine First Nations, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation and eight First Nation communities represented by Gwayakocchigewin Limited Partnership (GLP), who have agreements in place to invest in a 50 percent equity stake in the transmission line component of the project.

The GLP First Nation communities include Eagle Lake First Nation, Fort William First Nation, Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation, Lac Seul First Nation, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, Ojibway Nation of Saugeen, Seine River First Nation and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.

“This is a monumental milestone for Indigenous communities, customers, businesses and industry in northwest Ontario. The Waasigan Transmission Line project is a testament to what we can achieve when we build partnerships before we build infrastructure,” said Sonny Karunakaran, Vice President, Strategic Projects and Partnerships, Hydro One. “Waasigan was shaped by feedback and guidance we’ve received over several years, and we look forward to continued engagement as we prepare to get shovels in the ground to build this critical project.”

Phase one of the Waasigan Transmission Line is a new double-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line from Lakehead Transformer Station (TS) in Shuniah to Mackenzie TS in Atikokan, with planned in service as close to the end of 2025 as possible.

Phase two is a new single-circuit 230 kilovolt transmission line from Mackenzie TS to Dryden TS in Dryden and is targeted to be in service in 2027. Additional engagement opportunities will take place in advance of phase two construction activities. Both phases include station enhancements to support the new lines.

“The approval of the environmental assessment is a significant milestone for our communities in the Northwest region,” said Chief Whitecloud, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation. “It represents a solid commitment to meaningful collaboration, a respectful application of our traditional knowledge and values, and a new path to sustainable development.”

Hydro One and its partners say the final environmental assessment report is a result of several years of engagement with Indigenous communities, agencies, residents, affected landowners and field surveys at more than 1,200 sites.

The report evaluated numerous options to select a final route that balances Indigenous values, natural and socio-economic environment, and technical costs while meeting the region’s expanding energy needs.