ATIKOKAN – Owned by Ontario Power Generation, the Atikokan Generating Station is part of the province's commitment to phase out coal and create economic stability in the region.
This year the Atikokan Generating Station's contract with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) was set to expire on July 23.
Todd Smith, the Minister of Energy before Premier Doug Ford shuffled his cabinet, directed the IESO to negotiate a new five-year contract.
The mayor of Atikokan, Rob Ferguson, said he's very excited.
"There was a message that came out from the Ontario government that they have extended the Atikokan Generating Station for another five years. They haven't put pen to paper and sealed the deal yet, but they have made an announcement that it's going to be five years and it's going to be very similar to what the contract looks like for the original 10. It's great for the town of Atikokan.”
Atikokan Generating Station produces 205 megawatts of biomass electricity, making the station one of North America's largest biomass facilities and consumers of industrial wood pellets in Canada.
Without a new contract, the facility would have likely been decommissioned. In its absence, the economic impact would be catastrophic.
"Over one-third of our tax base is the Atikokan Generating Station," Ferguson said.
"Also, the bio-power plant that produces the pellets is situated in Atikokan, which is the biggest taxpayer in the town of Atikokan other than the OPG plant. So, hand in hand, those two things are very important for us. It's a good anchor tenant for us in town and then we can build on bringing other things to town as well.”
Ferguson said once the contract is a done deal, there will be a sense of relief for those working at the facility.
However, the Atikokan Generating Station’s new contract isn’t the only good thing for the township.
The Mackenzie Transfer Station in Atikokan will become the hub for the Waasigan Transmission Line Project.
“It's going to be a good boom for the town of Atikokan and its people. We've got a project going on at the Mackenzie Station right now. We’re moving a transformer that's going to supply the town and the people are excited about that. That's only a sliver of what the actual Waasigan Transmission Line is going to bring to the town,” Ferguson said.
The $1.2 billion energy project will see a 360-kilometre high-voltage transmission line from the Municipality of Shuniah to the City of Dryden.
“Atikokan is on the upswing,” Ferguson said. “We've got a lot of good things going on and it's an exciting time right now.”
Acting as a hub, Atikokan will see an economic boost as those working on the transmission line utilize the town as a staging ground.
“We already have people that are working for contractors right now. They are supplying goods and services in the town,” he said.
“I understand there's a project going on in Thunder Bay, which is going to help with the Indigenous community getting in line with being able to do this work. We're all in favour of that and I'm sure there's going be enough work for the people of Atikokan to go hand in hand with this as well.”
