North of Dryden

The regional planning cycle begun in 2010 for the North of Dryden sub-region was completed in January 2015 and an Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) was released.

Regional Planning Process Outcome (IRRP)

The North of Dryden area is forecast to experience some of the highest growth in electrical demand in Ontario. This is due to global demand for a number of minerals extracted in the area, and above-average population growth in the remote First Nations communities which have plans to connect to the IESO-controlled grid in the latter part of the decade.

The IRRP proposes two initiatives to meet the near-term electricity needs north of Dryden:

  1. building a new 230 kV transmission line from the Dryden / Ignace area to Pickle Lake
  2. upgrading the existing transmission lines from Dryden to Ear Falls and from Ear Falls to Red Lake

The estimated cost of these projects during the planning period is about $124 million. Together these projects increase the Pickle Lake subsystem's ability to meet demand from 24 MW to up to 160 MW, and more than double the Red Lake subsystem's ability to meet demand, taking it from 61 MW to 130 MW.

Documents referenced on this page, but not posted, can be obtained by contacting customer.relations@ieso.ca with a link to the web page that lists the document and advise whether it needs to be provided in an accessible format. Please allow a minimum of one business day for a response.

Key Resources
2013 Draft North of Dryden IRRP Report

Appendix 11.1 – 2011 OPA IESO North of Dryden Feasibility Study  

Appendix 11.2 – 2012 Draft Remote Community Connection Plan 

Appendix 11.3 – 2011 Transmission Unit Cost Study – SNC Lavalin

Appendix 11.4 – 2014 Draft Remote Community Connection Plan

 
IRRP Working Group - Next Steps

The North of Dryden IRRP was developed by a Working Group led by the IESO, working with existing and potential future industrial customers, local distribution companies and transmission companies/proponents in the area to ensure their plans for development are factored into the analysis. Hydro One Networks Inc. also provided analytical and technical support in developing planning options and cost estimates.

North of Dryden Engagement 

Municipal engagement and Aboriginal consultation were conducted in the development of the 2015 IRRP. Proponents of the two proposed initiatives are responsible for further engagement on these projects. In up to five years, the IESO will revisit the plan, and community members in the region will be reengaged. See the engagement details for the 2015 IRRP.

Area Overview

Map of North of Dryden, sub-region of Northwest OntarioThe North of Dryden IRRP involves a sub-region of the Northwest and includes the area extending northward from Dryden to the towns of Ear Falls, Red Lake, Pickle Lake and surrounding areas. Electricity to the sub-region is currently supplied by the 115-kilovolt (kV) Hydro One transmission system.

The North of Dryden IRRP also considers the potential future upstream supply requirements to enable the economic transmission connection of 21 remote First Nation communities. The technical and economic analysis for the connection of these remote First Nation communities is contained in the draft Remote Community Connection Plan.

The Ring of Fire mining development is also a major consideration in the medium to long term for the North of Dryden IRRP.

It should be noted that the study area does not include supply to the town of Dryden or Sioux Lookout. Supply to these communities is included in the West of Thunder Bay study.
 

Historical Context

Included in the scope of North of Dryden planning is a new line to Pickle Lake. The 2010 Long Term Energy Plan ("LTEP") identified a new line to Pickle Lake as one of the five priority transmission projects required for serving new load. In the subsequent Supply Mix Directive, the Minister of Energy directed the Independent Electricity System Operator (formerly the Ontario Power Authority) to include a new line to Pickle Lake in its plans, and to define and make recommendations on the scope and timing of this new line. The 2013 LTEP continued to identify a new line to Pickle Lake and the connection of remote First Nation communities as priorities for Ontario.