Mini Hydro - Supplementing Power to the Community

Deer Lake First Nation is a small community of approximately 1,200 people located in remote northwestern Ontario. Power generation in the community is provided by a diesel-powered generating station with diesel fuel flown in by air. In 1998, a small 490 kilowatt run-of-the-river hydro generating station was constructed on the Severn River, approximately 6 kilometres from the community. There is a joint agreement for ownership between Hydro One and the First Nation; however, the First Nation has an option to take over ownership after 10 years of operation.

Power generation in the community is provided by a diesel-powered generating station operated by Hydro One, the provincial crown corporation. As in the majority of the northern Ontario communities, diesel fuel for the generation plant is flown in by air. This pushes the average cost of power generation to close to $0.70 per kilowatt-hour.

In November 1998, Hydro One completed construction of a small 490-kilowatt run-of-the-river hydro generating station located on the Severn River, approximately 6 kilometres from the community. The initial construction of the hydro station was funded by Hydro One and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). The existing operating agreement is funded to December 31, 2009, and thereafter subject to further negotiation and formal ratification. The station is currently managed by Hydro One. A community member is employed as the on-site operator.