*CORRECTION: This version of the story makes clear that the federal government hasn’t committed financing but its Crown corporation is assisting in planning and development of the proposed project.
Canada Infrastructure Bank, a Crown corporation, announced Feb. 5 that it’s prepared to assist in the development of a $1.6-billion hydroelectric line and broadband fibre-optic project that will serve five Kivalliq communities and the mining sector.
image courtesy of the Kivalliq Inuit Association
The 1,200-kilometre, 150-megawatt hydro transmission line will stretch from Gillam, Man., reducing the region’s reliance on shipped-in diesel.
Canada Infrastructure Bank will work with the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA), Sakku Investments Corporation, Anbaric Development Partners and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan to complete the initiative.
In addition to supplying environmentally sustainable energy, the project will provide high-speed broadband internet to residents, businesses and public services.
The KIA has projected that the hydro line will result in a 50 per cent reduction in power supply costs for the Qulliq Energy Corporation in the five communities served — Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove. It also anticipates internet download speeds will be 3,000 times faster.
Kono Tattuinee, president of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, said, “Inuit are proud to be driving this transformative, national infrastructure project. Together we are creating something that will bring lasting economic and environmental benefits to Nunavut and all of Canada.”
Canada Infrastructure Bank has $35 billion to invest and has a mandate to also attract private-sector investment. The Winnipeg Free Press reported that the proponents have a goal of supplying power to Rankin Inlet by 2026.
what a difference from david to kono, kivalliq for years has been trying to get a road up to the kivalliq and nothing happens, kono gets elected into office and less then a year we have a hydro and fiber optic line deal in the works
Will it be underground or pole to pole
above ground?
First and foremost we need to include NU. with the rest of Canada.
Any and all funding available to do this should be concentrated in the form of a railroad. High speed underground communication cables can easily come with or after that. Nunavut will open up its short shipping season & control traffic to OUR LAND. The mines will pay us to use it. Put your family in your pickup on the train down south for the weekend…no road please.