The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
THOMPSON _ A ceremony was held last week to announce the first of three generators going into operation at Manitoba Hydro's Wuskwatim Generating Station, marking the start of power production at the province's newest hydroelectric facility. Located on the Burntwood River in northern Manitoba, Wuskwatim is being developed by the Wuskwatim Power Ltd. Partnership (WPLP), a venture between the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) and Hydro. Manitoba Hydro will operate the project on behalf of WPLP. 'Wuskwatim marks a new chapter in northern hydroelectric development for Manitoba,' said Premier Greg Selinger. 'For the first time, Manitoba Hydro has fully partnered with a local First Nation impacted by hydro development, ensuring that community members had a say in the planning, design and construction of this facility. Wuskwatim has provided _ and will continue to provide _ years of income for the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, through training, employment and other economic development activities.' See 'Our...' on pg. 9 Continued from pg. 7 Selinger, NCN Chief Jerry Primrose and Bill Fraser, chair of the Manitoba Hydro board, were on hand at Wuskwatim to mark the milestone on July 5. Dave Chomiak, minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, NCN members and Hydro officials were also present. 'For the first time, our people will benefit in a more meaningful way from hydro development, rather than just through compensation after the fact,' said Chief Primrose. 'We have been active in this project from the beginning, and to see it come to fruition is extremely rewarding.' Wuskwatim's final two generators are expected to go into service later in 2012, marking the completion of the station. Development of the $1.37-billion project began in August 2006 with the signing of the Wuskwatim Project Development Agreement between Manitoba Hydro and NCN. The agreement provided the option for NCN to own up to one-third of the Wuskwatim Generating Station through its wholly owned corporation, Taskinigahp Power Corporation. While NCN has already confirmed that it will take a significant ownership position in the Wuskwatim project, the community has until July 2013 to decide whether it will exercise its option of acquiring the full 33 per cent permitted under the agreement. Electricity from Wuskwatim will be fed into Manitoba Hydro's provincial power grid and used to meet the domestic needs of the province. Unfortunately for Manitoba Hydro customers, such projects have not been sufficient to stave off repeated rate hikes. With electricity rates having already gone up two per cent as of April 1, the utility has applied for two more hikes _ 2.5 per cent effective Sept. 1, 2012 and 3.5 per cent effective April 1, 2013. That's a six per cent hike in seven months. The increases remain subject to approval from the Public Utilities Board. _ Compiled from a Government of Manitoba news release, with files from The Reminder archives
