TORONTO -- The province says a project involving Ontario Power Generation and a Cree power company will create up to 100 new construction jobs in northern Ontario.
The government says that the New Post Creek hydroelectric project about 180 kilometres north of Timmins will produce approximately 25 megawatts of hydroelectric power.
Plans for construction include a generating station, a dam and a powerhouse near New Post Creek's outlet to the Abitibi River as well as improvements to local access roads and other infrastructure development.
Coral Rapids Power is a company owned by Taykwa Tagamou Nation, and the province says the project is part of a provincial goal to increase First Nation and Metis participation in energy projects.
Construction will begin in 2014 and is expected to be functioning by 2017.
The province says that the project will build on the expertise of recent northern Ontario projects like the Lower Mattagami project which will add 440 megawatts of power and a $2.6 billion worth of investment in the north.
The Post Creek project "offers a natural transition for the First Nations workforce in the region as they continue to develop expertise in hydro development in the province," Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli said in a release.
Taykwa Tagamou Nation Chief Linda Job said the partnership "will provide Taykwa Tagamou Nation with a long-term investment opportunity for a sustainable economic base for the community."
