Report highlights region’s energy deficiencies

A new report to be delivered to Thunder Bay’s city council says our region's energy system has major deficiencies. 

The Common Voice Northwest Energy Task Force will present its findings at Monday night’s council meeting.  Coun. Iain Angus, who also co-chairs group, says there is not one part of the Northwest that doesn't need transmission and distribution improvements. 

Last year, the province unveiled its 20-year energy plan, which includes two projects for the Northwest. One includes a new line from Ignace to Pickle Lake and the other is a doubling of the east-west line.

The energy task force co-chair says as much as 600-megawatts could be taken out of the region.

Angus adds that there are also capacity deficiencies. He says local energy projects are being turned down because Thunder Bay is at a point that there is no room left.  
 
Angus says Sudbury, like Thunder Bay, would have to upgrade its system to accommodate a 300 megawatt ferrochrome processing facility. He says any business prepared to invest in the region that is a large energy user must know that a supply is available.