August 28, 2015 – Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Coral Rapids Power (CRP)—a company wholly owned by Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN)— say they are building a new 28MW hydroelectric generating station, located north of Smooth Rock Falls, Ont.

When in service, the new Peter Sutherland Sr. Generating Station will provide hydroelectric power to up to 25,000 homes, OPG said. The $300 million project is also expected to employ 220 workers at peak and be completed in 2018, OPG added.

“We are excited to partner with OPG on this project,” said TTN Chief Dwight Sutherland. “OPG has a proven track record partnering with First Nation communities. We wanted to work with them on this project which will provide lasting economic opportunities for the people of Taykwa Tagamou Nation, for this generation and many to follow.”

The new station will be named in honour of a community elder, Peter Sutherland Sr., who was born 100 years ago this month and passed in 1998, according to OPG.

The development will use a portion of the water flowing down New Post Creek to generate electricity by transporting water 250 meters from the intake via a penstock to the power house on the Abitibi River. The remaining water will continue to flow over the falls, OPG said.

Kiewit/Aecon was selected as the design build contractor through a competitive process.

Labour needs for the project include: engineers, equipment operators, labourers, drillers, cement workers, ironworkers/rodmen, electricians, welders, carpenters and camp support services.