The Peter Sutherland Sr. Generating Station is now open, putting 28 megawatts of juice on the provincial grid.

That’s enough to power over 25-thousand homes per day.

The station is a partnership between Ontario Power Generation and Coral Rapids Power, which is owned by the nearby Taykwa Tagamou First Nation (TTN).

OPG President and CEO Jeff Laish calls the partnership a win-win.

“We learn so much from them,” he said, “Their long-term knowledge, their philosophy. They contribute to the project. And I think they learn from us, and develop skills that help them navigate the times we live in.”

The station—which came at a cost of $300-million dollars—is said to develop clean, reliable energy at a low cost. It was completed last spring, on budget and ahead of schedule.

“Ontario’s newest waterpower generation station is yet another example of our government’s commitment to building a clean, reliable and affordable electricity system,” says Ontario Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault.

“This project is not only supporting a healthier environment and cleaner air for many years to come, but it has provided meaningful economic benefits to the Taykwa Tagamou First Nation through its partnership with OPG.”

The station itself is located around 80 kilometres north of Smooth Rock Falls, within the traditional territory of TTN. It is named after a “respected community elder” in Sutherland.

More than 200 people worked on the project, including close to 50 Indigenous people.

In addition, Indigenous contractors supplied $50 million dollars worth of goods and services to the project.

“Our partnership with OPG is strong due to the relationship we’ve built on a foundation of respect and trust,” Coral Rapids Power President Wayne Ross stated in a release, “Our community members have gained a long term revenue stream and transferable skills that our members will use on other infrastructure projects.”

The importance of partnerships between large companies and First Nations is a big key with projects up north. Recently, the province announced a partnership with three First Nation communities in regards to building roads to the Ring of Fire.

This station is another prime example of what comes about by including those communities in talks.

Laish says it’s the key to success.

“It’s part of how we build and maintain the social license that it takes to execute on complex projects like this,” he said, indicating it’s not their first time partnering with First Nations communities.

Laish had this message to fellow companies looking to take on any large-scale industrial development.

“Look (for) community engagement, First Nations partnerships and making those productive as a key to how you design and execute.”

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Filed under: Local News