Gitchi Animki Hydroelectric Project

In March, 2005, the Pic Mobert First Nation entered into a joint venture agreement with Regional Power Inc. (www.regionalpower.com) to facilitate the development of two water power sites on the White River. The joint venture is known as the Pic Mobert Hydro Power Joint Venture (PMHPJV).

The Band Council’s lead representative for the PMHPJV is Band Councilor Wayne Sabourin who has led the development of this initiative since 2000.

The Project

The project has been named the “Gitchi Animki (Big Thunder) Hydroelectric Project, and consists of two developments located on the White River:

• Gitchi Animki Bezhig, an approximate 8.9 MW site that will ultimately replace the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) existing regulating dam that manages lake levels and flood risks on White Lake;
• Gitchi Animki Niizh, an approximate 10.0 MW site located approximately 16 km south of the Gitchi Animki Bezhig.

The name “Gitchi Animki” was submitted by Pic Mobert Elder Maggie Sabourin.

Click here for a site location map.

The Gitchi Animki Hydroelectric Project will generate approximately 95 GWh of electricity annually which is enough electricity to support approximately 12,000 homes, with clean, non-polluting power. This project is an excellent example of clean, green energy that the Ontario Government is seeking to promote through the Green Energy Act (http://www.mei.gov.on.ca/). Among other things, the Green Energy Act seeks to increase the total supply of green energy in Ontario to 25,000 MW by 2025 over and above 2003 levels while specifically creating opportunities for First Nations to become both developers and owners of green energy projects.

The existing MNR-owned regulating dam plays an important role in managing lake levels for recreational and tourism activities on White Lake, as well as managing flood waters that have periodically flooded the Pic Mobert community and the White Lake Provincial Park. The proposed developments will provide a much improved alternative to the existing regulating dam which was deemed by independent consultants to be in need of significant and costly repairs to ensure the long-term performance of the dam

The Joint Venture has signed long term power purchase agreements with the Ontario Power Authority under its Feed In Tariff (FIT) Program.

The total investment in the project is expected to be in the order of $135 million. Northwestern Ontario’s economy has been hard hit over the past three or four years. There have been significant layoffs in the forest industry and many of these job losses will likely be permanent. The population of the region is declining as is the tax assessment base for most municipalities. Development of the project represents an urgently needed and significant investment in the Superior East Region which is currently struggling with an economic crisis due to the downturn in the forest products industry.

Economic Benefits

The Joint Venture Agreement with Regional Power directs the Management Committee to develop a proactive strategy for maximizing the economic and employment benefits of the project for the Pic Mobert First Nation. This plan is presently under development, however it is expected that there will be work available during construction in areas such as general labour, catering for the construction campsite, transportation of workers to the job site, security and road maintenance services, among others. The Joint Venture will work closely with the White Lake Resource Development Corporation, Pic Mobert’s development entity, to develop and deliver contract opportunities related to the project.

The community of White River will likely serve as the primary staging point for the project as the access roads into the development sites originate in White River. This will provide welcome activity in this community which is struggling economically due to the long term closure of it’s sawmill.

While it takes only 1 or 2 people to operate the plants once they are complete, the operators will be hired from and trained within the Pic Mobert community.

The Joint Venture will be organizing and holding a job and business opportunities fair in the coming months. This project was undertaken principally as a wealth generation initiative. Pic Mobert First Nation will generate income from the project through its share of the project dividends.