Thunder Bay, Ontario: Wataynikaneyap Power LP announced September 10 that it had awarded its Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract to Valard LP, subject to financial close and notice to proceed. The Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project is an unprecedented First Nations-led project to build 1,800 kilometres of transmission lines in Northwestern Ontario to connect remote First Nations communities to the Ontario power grid. The project will reinforce the existing transmission grid to Pickle Lake and will expand grid service north of Pickle Lake and Red Lake to ultimately connect 17 First Nations communities. Valard was selected to design, procure materials and equipment for, and build the 1,800 kilometres of transmission lines that pertain to Phase 1 and 2 of the Project. A further announcement is expected once financial close is achieved.