Hydro One and nine First Nation partners receive approval on Environmental Assessment Report for the Waasigan Transmission Line

Hydro One and nine First Nation partners receive approval on Environmental Assessment Report for the Waasigan Transmission Line

Thunder Bay, October 8, 2024 – Today, Hydro One Inc. (Hydro One) and nine First Nation partners, announced they have received approval from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on the final Environmental Assessment Report for the Waasigan Transmission Line project. The line 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.

“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.”

Hydro One will host three in-person community open houses (local time) to hear from community members in advance of construction:

• Monday, October 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Atikokan Adult Learning Centre
  • Address: 25 Rawn Road, Atikokan
• Tuesday, October 29, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Current River Community Centre
  • Address: 450 Dewe Avenue, Thunder Bay
• Wednesday, October 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Kaministiquia Community Centre
  • Address: 6197 Dawson Road, Kaministiquia

The project is being built 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 per cent 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.

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 environmental assessment process is designed to assess and mitigate potential effects of a project on the natural and socio-economic environment, and Indigenous rights and interests prior to a project breaking ground. The Waasigan Transmission Line 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 expanding energy needs that support the growing economy.

To learn more about the Waasigan Transmission Line and the Final Environmental Assessment Report, visit hydroone.com/Waasigan.

Quotes

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

“Niinawind idash ningichiinandaamin waabandamang Anishinaabe kinaamatewin, manaachiitewin giinawind gitakiiminaan. Niin dish nimiigwechiwinaanik minikishkweganong ganiganizhiwat kaagiga  wiinowaa aganikidaniniigaaniziwok daanik kinamaagewok wiinowaa dash gaye niibiwa da-niimiigiiyok gaa-zhi-kendimowaat. Kiinawind gii-bi-oganoonookiitatoomin gaye owiitige amitigozhii mii tish gegoo geshitogewin Gwayakochigewin.” – Daniel Morriseau, President – Gwayakocchigewin LP

Translation to English: “We are proud to see that our Anishinaabe teachings, knowledge, and respect for the land guided this environmental assessment, and all work on the Waasigan Project.  We want to thank the First Nations leadership and all our Elders for their guidance, teachings, and contributions. We will continue to work with our partners to develop the project in a good way and look forward to seeing our communities benefit as the Project advances.” – Daniel Morriseau, President – Gwayakocchigewin LP

“As the local MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, I’m pleased to see that new communities will be added to the Hydro One grid allowing for reliable energy to be provided to new homes and businesses in the area.” – Kevin Holland, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Atikokan

“It’s encouraging to see feedback from our previous rounds of engagement incorporated into the final EA report. Consultation with our community is essential to the planning and design phase of the Waasigan Transmission Line project to ensure that the needs of those who will be impacted are met.” – Wendy Landry, Mayor of Shuniah

“We have worked closely over the years with Hydro One to develop plans for the Waasigan Transmission Line. Hydro One has collected ours and our neighbouring communities’ feedback over the years on the Waasigan Transmission Line. We are looking forward to beginning this next stage of development for the project and seeing it come to life.” – Rob Ferguson, Mayor of Atikokan

“The environmental assessment process is vital to ensuring not only the natural environment is protected, but also the needs of the community are met. With the Ministry’s approval, Hydro One can now move forward with the continued engagement of communities across northwest Ontario.” – Jack Harrison, Mayor of Dryden

Hydro One Limited (TSX: H)

Hydro One Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with approximately 1.5 million valued customers, approximately $32.8 billion in assets as at December 31, 2023, and annual revenues in 2023 of approximately $7.8 billion.

Our team of approximately 9,700 skilled and dedicated employees proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system which is essential to supporting strong and successful communities. In 2023, Hydro One invested approximately $2.5 billion in its transmission and distribution networks and supported the economy through buying approximately $2.5 billion of goods and services.

We are committed to the communities where we live and work through community investment, sustainability and diversity initiatives.

Hydro One Limited’s common shares are listed on the TSX and certain of Hydro One Inc.’s medium term notes are listed on the NYSE. Additional information can be accessed at www.hydroone.com, www.sedarplus.com or www.sec.gov.

NT5