Pic Mobert First Nation Traditional Territory, Ontario: Chief Wayne Sabourin of the Pic Mobert First Nation, and Chris Lambeck, President of Regional Power Inc., led the official opening July 17 of the Gitchi Animki Hydroelectric Project, located within the traditional territory of the Pic Mobert First Nation.
The project consists of two generating stations (Gitchi Animki Bezhig & Gitchi Animki Niizh) with a combined capacity of 18.9 MW. The project is owned by the Pic Mobert Hydro Power Joint Venture, a 50/50 joint venture of subsidiary companies of the Pic Mobert First Nation and Regional Power, and represents a significant investment into the Northern Ontario economy.
“We are proud of our partnership with the Pic Mobert First Nation and the results of our efforts to develop and construct this project,” said Chris Lambeck, President, Regional Power Inc. “The project faced many challenges that were successfully overcome with a team committed to getting the project to completion and that demonstrated resilience and the ability to communicate and take a reasonable and realistic approach to solve problems. We are particularly proud of the economic benefit that this project has provided the Pic Mobert and White River communities during construction, all the individuals employed during construction, as well as to the companies from Northern Ontario who contributed to its success.”
The development is located in the traditional territory of the Netamasakomik People of the Pic Mobert First Nation, and was one of the first contracted under the Ontario Power Authority’s Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program. The development is also located in a provincial park that has led to close cooperation with Ontario Parks on various recreational initiatives.
“Regional Power and the Pic Mobert First Nation are to be commended for bringing this project forward together,” said Paul Norris, President of Ontario Waterpower Association. “These developments are a great example of the opportunities that exist across the province to expand the contribution of waterpower to provide economic, environmental and energy benefits for present and future generations.”
The facilities will replace the function of an old Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry regulating dam that managed lake levels and flood flows on White Lake. The developments will provide a much improved alternative to the existing regulating dam that was deemed by independent consultants to be in need of significant and costly repairs. Three Pic Mobert community members have been hired and are being trained as operators of the facilities.