The 200MW low-impact, low-head Wuskwatim project is to be built on the Burntwood river at Taskinigahp Falls, approximately 45km southwest of Thompson and 40km southeast of Nelson House.
The PDA, approved by NCN’s Council and Manitoba Hydro’s Board of Directors is now subject to ratification by NCN members in a secret-ballot vote scheduled for June 7 and 14. Polling stations will be set up in Nelson House, South Indian Lake, Thompson, Winnipeg, Brandon and Leaf Rapids. The project also requires provincial and federal approvals.
The agreement gives NCN the opportunity to own up to 33% of the generation project and the potential, in the long-term, to earn millions of dollars in profits from energy sales that would go towards strengthening the sustainability of the First Nation. There are also provisions to ensure near-term revenue opportunities for NCN business and joint-venture partnerships, including around $100M in construction-related contracts. The PDA includes financing support for NCN’s investment, and protections against risk and liability for the First Nation.
‘This is an important milestone and historic opportunity for our First Nation,’ said NCN Chief Jerry Primrose. ‘It gives us an unprecedented chance of owning up to one third of the generating station, short-term training and job opportunities, long-term profits to build a richer future for our people and it respects our cultural values and traditional ways.’
‘This partnership is an innovative model that ensures there will be immediate and long-term benefits to local people. NCN will benefit from training, jobs, business opportunities and project financial returns,’ added Manitoba Hydro President and CEO Bob Brennan. ‘A positive vote will be a win-win-win agreement for Manitoba Hydro, NCN and all Manitobans. This project will strengthen Manitoba Hydro’s ability to fulfill our mandate and moves us along a path of building cooperative and respectful relationships with Aboriginal peoples.’
NCN Chief and Council and Manitoba Hydro see the project as a way to move beyond the history of negative impacts caused by the Churchill river diversion. ‘We can’t change what happened 30 years ago, but this is a way to benefit our people with little additional change to our environment,’ Primrose said.
