BEARSKIN LAKE FIRST NATION — Another northern First Nation community has been officially connected to the provincial power grid.
Bearskin Lake First Nation was first connected to the grid on July 7 through a total of 739 kilometres of line and six substations, originating from its Dinorwic Substation, according to a release from Wataynikaneyap Power.
A celebration marking the connection was held in the community on Wednesday.
Previously, the community was using diesel generators as their primary power source.
“Grid connection is necessary to power the future needs of the community, including our future water and wastewater community upgrades. Reliable power enables us to grow," Bearskin Lake Chief Lefty Kamenawatamin said in a written statement.
"We have multiple houses and buildings ready for connection, as we no longer have to worry about being at max capacity for power.”
The total Wataynikaneyap Power project has been pegged at $1.9 billion and will eventually connect 17 more remote First Nations. Communities already connected are Kingfisher Lake First Nation, North Caribou Lake First Nation, and Pikangikum First Nation.
