This is a copy of the IESO remote communities plan from 2014:

http://www.ieso.ca/en/Get-Involved/Regional-Planning/Northwest-Ontario/Remote-Community-Connection-Plan

The section below is taken from pages 16 and 17 of the PDF called, "2014 Remote Community Connection Plan", attached to the link above. It speaks specifically about the options for running power to the Ring of Fire. 

Page 16 of 113

1 1.6.3 Connection Details for the Ring of Fire Subsystem

2 The Ring of Fire subsystem includes five remote communities as well as the area of 

3 potential mining development for the Ring of Fire area. If a north-south transmission line is 

4 developed to supply mining developments in the Ring of Fire area, technical analysis 

5 indicates that this line could serve these five communities. The existing 230 kV 

6 transmission facilities at both Marathon and Nipigon are potential transmission supply 

7 points for the north-south line to the Ring of Fire. As mentioned above, Pickle Lake is also a 

8 potential supply point for the five remote communities in the Ring of Fire subsystem.

9 There are four options for serving the five communities in the Ring of Fire subsystem from 

10 the provincial grid. 

11 The first option is to build a new 115 kV transmission line from Pickle Lake to the remote 

12 communities in the Ring of Fire subsystem. In this option, any mines that may develop at 

13 the Ring of Fire would not be connected. As described above, the Pickle Lake area would 

14 have to be reinforced by a new 115 kV transmission line from the Dryden area to Pickle 

15 Lake at a minimum.

16 The next three options would connect the remote communities and potential mines in the 

17 Ring of Fire subsystem. Given this subsystem’s relative proximity to the Nipigon / Marathon

18 area and Pickle Lake, these all represent potential transmission supply points for the 

19 subsystem. The options for connecting communities and mines at the Ring of Fire are:

20 1. A 115 kV line from Pickle Lake to the Ring of Fire subsystem

21 2. A 230 kV line from Pickle Lake to the Ring of Fire subsystem

22 3. A 230 kV line from Marathon or Nipigon area to the Ring of Fire subsystem

23 An illustrative diagram of the supply options for the Ring of Fire subsystem can be found in 

24 Figure 6 below. Transmission from Pickle Lake could be built at either 115 kV or 230 kV. It 

25 is depicted here by a purple line originating from Pickle Lake. Alternatively, a 230 kV

Page 17 of 113

1 transmission line from either Marathon or the Nipigon area would connect communities and 

2 mines (depicted as a blue line)."

The option that catches my eye is the option referring to the route from the transmission facilities at both Marathon and Nipigon; see Figure 6. Why?  Because it would follow the North/South road that Marten Falls is actively pursuing to their community, and would be the most direct route, with the most power; 230 kV potential to remote regions.  Such a line could allow for less restriction on the expansion of both the communities and any mining initiatives.  Plus be incorporated into the Marten Falls EA on the North/South road connection.

If you take a look at the link below you will also see that this option fits nicely into Hydro One's Lake Superior Link plan, since this line passes through Marathon, Ontario:

https://www.hydroone.com/about/corporate-information/major-projects/lake-superior-link

I think the reason IESO is pushing Hydro One is because they both know they have to make a decision soon before Quebec steps in to show them how it is done.  The only question is can Hydro One beat Quebec's pricing.  Which I doubt they can.  Either way, it is encouraging to see progress, and with it competition to supply power to the North.  I expect any hesitation or procrastination here will not serve either party well.  So chances are they won't waste time advancing their business objectives.....GOOD! Too much time has been wasted already.

TM.