Ontario Waterpower Association
Robert G . Lake GS
• Waterpower can support remote communities
While the rest of the province takes reliable electricity for granted , there are more than two dozen remote First Nation communities which continue to be powered by localized diesel generation . The OWA has been a strong supporter of resolving the issue and is supportive of the current plan to connect as many of the remote communities to the provincial grid as is economically feasible . The report specifically looked at small hydro in reasonable proximity to planned transmission and found cost effective waterpower
development potential for twenty ( 20 ) of the twenty one ( 21 ) communities to be connected and for three ( 3 ) of the five ( 5 ) expected to remain off-grid . Given the lead times for transmission and hydro projects , development could be planned concurrently , through a “ Remotes Procurement ” initiative .
• Waterpower can contribute to The Ring of Fire
Finally , the area of vast mineral rich deposits branded the “ Ring of Fire ” has also emerged as a provincial priority . Located roughly in the center of the Hudson and James Bay drainage basins ,
150 June 2014