October 16, 2014 – Ontario Power Generation reports the Lower Mattagami River hydroelectric redevelopment project is one step closer to completion, as two new units at Smoky Falls (a.k.a. Kapaskilehtehk) Generating Station are now in operation, adding 178MW to the grid.

“With two units left to go, our focus will be on safely completing the job,” said OPG president and CEO, Tom Mitchell. The remaining two units of the Lower Mattagami Project will come online in the coming months, says OPG.

The Lower Mattagami hydro project—expected to be completed this winter—adds 438 MW of electricity generation capacity. Work began on the project in June 2010. At peak construction, more than 1600 people worked on the project, including 250 First Nation and Metis workers. Moose Cree has a 25% interest in the new units.

The two recently completed units are part of a three-unit 267MW station that replaces an existing 83-year-old, 55MW station. The new station will be known by both its Cree name and Smoky Falls Generating Station. The old station has reached the end of its service life and is being decommissioned.