Regional Electricity Planning - Northwest Ontario

Regional electricity planning in the Northwest region of Ontario is underway. This engagement initiative will provide interested parties with an opportunity to offer input for consideration into the elements of an Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) anticipated to be complete early 2027.

Regional electricity planning takes a 20-year outlook on every region in the province. The planning process provides an opportunity for communities to tell the IESO about anticipated needs and priorities and to contribute to the development of the options for meeting this region’s future electricity needs.

For regional planning purposes, the Northwest region includes the districts of Kenora, Rainy River, and Thunder Bay, bounded by Lake Superior to the south, the Marathon area to the east, and the Manitoba border to the west.

All interested parties are invited to participate in this engagement initiative and may include but are not limited to:

• Municipalities within the Northwest region include the City of Thunder Bay, Municipality of Greenstone, Municipality of Neebing, Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge, Town of Marathon, Township of Conmee, Township of Dorion, Township of Gillies, Township of Manitouwadge, Township of Nipigon, Township of O'Connor, Township of Red Rock, Township of Schreiber, Municipality of Shuniah, Township of Terrace Bay, City of Dryden, City of Kenora, Municipality of Red Lake, Municipality of Sioux Lookout, Township of Ear Falls, Township of Ignace, Township of Machin, Township of Pickle Lake, Township of Sioux Narrows - Nestor Falls, Rainy River, Town of Fort Frances, Town of Rainy River, Township of Alberton, Township of Atikokan, Township of Chapple, Township of Dawson, Township of Emo, Township of La Vallee, Township of Lake of the Woods, and Township of Morley
• Indigenous communities in Northwest Ontario include the Animakee Wa Zhing No. 37, Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek, Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing (Big Island), Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum, Aroland, Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation, Bearskin Lake, Big Grassy River (Mishkosiminiziibiing), Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Brunswick House First Nation, Cat Lake, Constance Lake, Couchiching First Nation, Deer Lake, Eabametoong, Eagle Lake, Fort Severn, Fort William First Nation, Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Gull Bay First Nation, Iskatewizaagegan No. 39, Kasabonika Lake, Keewaywin, Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, Kingfisher Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Koocheching First Nation, Lac des Mille Lacs, Lac Seul, Long Lake No. 58, Marten Falls, McDowell Lake, Michipicoten, Mishkeegogaman, Missanabie Cree, Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, Muskrat Dam Lake, Naicatchewenin First Nation, Namaygoosisagagun, Naotkamegwanning, Neskantaga, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert), Nibinamik, Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, North Caribou Lake, North Spirit Lake, Northwest Angle No. 33, Ojibway Nation of Saugeen, Ojibways of Onigaming, Pays Plat, Pikangikum, Poplar Hill, Rainy River, Red Rock Indian Band, Sachigo Lake, Sandy Lake, Seine River First Nation, Shoal Lake No. 40, Slate Falls, Wabaseemoong, Wabauskang, Wabigoon Lake, Wapekeka, Washagamis Bay (Obashkaandagaang), Wawakapewin, Webequie, Weenusk, Whitesand, Whitewater Lake, and Wunnumin Lake
• Communities affiliated with Métis Nation of Ontario include Métis Nation of Ontario, and Red Sky Independent Métis Nation
• The Tribal Councils and Provincial Territorial Organization (PTO) include Anishinabek Nation, Union of Ontario Indians, Chiefs of Ontario, Grand Council Treaty #3 , Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA), Keewaytinook Okimakanak/Northern Chiefs Council, Matawa First Nations Management, Matawa First Nations Tribal Council, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Shibogama First Nations Council, and Windigo First Nations Council
• Local distribution companies (LDCs) who serve the region including Synergy North, Atikokan Hydro, Sioux Lookout Hydro, Hydro One (Distribution), and Fort Francis Power Corporation
• Transmitters who serve the region including Hydro One (Transmission), and Watay Power
• Consumers and service providers

Northwest Technical Working Group - The Technical Working Group, consisting of the LDCs in the region, the local transmitter and the IESO, will use the regional planning engagement initiative to consider feedback into the development of the Plan. All comments and enquiries about this engagement initiative can be directed to engagement@ieso.ca.

Related Information

• 2025 Northwest IRRP Addendum
• 2023 Northwest Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP)
• 2023 Northwest IRRP Appendices
• 2023 Northwest IRRP Data Tables
• 2016 West of Thunder Bay Sub-Region IRRP
• 2016 Thunder Bay Sub-Region IRRP
• 2016 Greenstone-Marathon Sub-Region IRRP
• 2015 North of Dryden Sub-Region IRRP
• 2015 Northwest Scoping Assessment Outcome Report
• Hydro One Northwest Regional Planning Website