Northwest Ontario

The 2014 draft Remote Community Connection Plan is a business case which informed a July 29, 2016, Order in Council from the provincial government. This order confirms the need for the project to connect 21 remote communities.

A concurrent Order in Council designated Wataynikaneyap Power as the transmitter for connecting 16 communities and the new line to Pickle Lake. Development work and approvals are underway by the transmitter for a target in service date of 2023 for these 16 communities.

Any updates to the IESO’s plan will be provided as needed for project approvals. Work is ongoing related to connecting the remaining five communities.

The updated analysis identifies that there is an economic case to connect up to 21 remote communities at this time, including Marten Falls First Nation. The remaining communities are not economic to connect at present, largely due to their relatively small size and distance from existing transmission infrastructure.

Also, the updated draft plan reflects the assessment of the connection for remote communities and the Ring of Fire mine development area from the transmission system in the vicinity of Marathon/Nipigon – an option which was developed in the North of Dryden Integrated Regional Resource Plan. These changes, among other updates, have been reflected in the 2014 draft Remote Community Connection Plan.

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.