Toronto: Hydro One, with Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, a community owned corporation of the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, announced the completion September 5 of the Niagara Reinforcement Line. The line, completed in collaboration with those First Nations through an equity ownership model, could serve as a framework for future infrastructure projects across Ontario.
The Niagara Reinforcement Line is a 76 km double circuit, 230 kV transmission line primarily along an existing Hydro One right-of-way between Allanburg Transformer Station and Middleport Transformer Station. The line was brought to completion by A6N, a joint venture between Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and Aecon Group Inc.
As part of the project's partnership model, both First Nation partners have planned to have an equity ownership in the line, which would provide an annual income to these partners over the life of the asset, supporting investments in local community priorities. This First Nations ownership agreement is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
"The electrification of this line will not only deliver economic value to the people of Ontario, it also ensures that local First Nation communities continue to benefit for years to come," said Mark Poweska, President and CEO, Hydro One. "We are committed to becoming a primary business partner to Indigenous communities by supporting employment, procurement and community investment opportunities as well as through business partnerships such as the Niagara Reinforcement Line."
"The Niagara Reinforcement Line will not only generate millions of dollars of benefit for the Six Nations community, it's also a step forward for Indigenous participation in the economy," said Matt Jamieson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation. "We have proven our ability to partner, and have demonstrated unprecedented capacity to leverage our skilled labour to drive economic development, not only within our community, but across Ontario."