2 northern Ontario First Nations partner with province to expand hydroelectric power generation

Jonathan Migneault · CBC News

· Posted: Apr 09, 2025 1:10 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 infinitesimal ago

Two bluish Ontario First Nations are partnering with the provincial authorities to grow hydroelectric powerfulness procreation successful the portion with plans for 2 caller powerfulness stations.

If approved, the 2 hydroelectric powerfulness stations could nutrient up to 430 megawatts of energy – capable to powerfulness 430,000 homes. 

The connection includes a generating presumption astatine Nine Mile Rapids connected the Abitibi River which could make astir 256 megawatts of energy and the projected Grand Rapids generating presumption connected the Moose River, which could make astir 174 megawatts of electricity.

If built, the state says they would beryllium the archetypal "net-new" hydroelectric stations successful Ontario successful 10 years.

"As vigor request rises successful Ontario, especially successful the north, our authorities is taking enactment by supporting aboriginal improvement enactment for the province's archetypal enlargement of large-scale hydroelectricity successful decades," said Stephen Lecce, Ontario's curate of Energy and Mines, successful a quality release.

Taykwa Tagamou Nation and Moose Cree First Nation volition program the 2 projects with the provincial government and Ontario Power Generation.

"This co-planning process represents a caller approach—one that puts First Nations successful the driver's spot from the beginning," said Taykwa Tagamou Nation Chief Bruce Archibald, successful a quality release. 

"True economical reconciliation means that we are not conscionable participating successful development. We're shaping it, connected our  terms, for the payment of our communities portion supporting the province's enactment to conscionable rising request for electricity." 

At a property league successful Timmins, Lecce said bluish Ontario needs 80 per cent much powerfulness to conscionable aboriginal demand.

The projected hydroelectric projects would beryllium adjacent the Ring of Fire mineral deposit, which is affluent successful captious minerals including chromite, nickel, copper, platinum radical elements, golden and zinc.

Moose Cree First Nation Chief Peter Wesley said successful a quality merchandise that the projects would bring successful jobs and semipermanent gross for his community.