The project involved the redevelopment of OPG’s four existing hydro stations on the Mattagami River.
The four stations, Little Long, Smoky Falls, Harmon, and Kipling, are about 70km northeast of Kapuskasing and around 150km upstream of Moose Factory and Moosonee.
Smoky Falls was built in 1931 with a 52MW capacity. The station’s capacity has now been increased to 267MW.
The capacities of Little Long, Harmon and Kipling stations have been increased to 205MW, 220MW, 232MW respectively.
OPG worked with the Moose Cree Chief and Council from the initial stages of approvals and formed a partnership with the First Nation in 2009.
As part of the of the Amisk-oo-Skow agreement, the Moose Cree First Nation will hold a 25% interest in the Lower Mattagami project.
Ontario Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli said: "The Lower Mattagami Project will deliver long-term results for our electricity system while providing clean, reliable and affordable electricity for Ontarians."
OPG said the project had a positive impact on the northeast economy with around $1bn of contracts being awarded to Ontario businesses, including more than $350m in the north.
OPG operates 13 generating stations in northeastern Ontario that generate about 1.5GW of renewable hydroelectric power.
Image: The project involved the redevelopment of OPG’s four existing hydro stations on the Mattagami River. Photo: Courtesy of Ontario Power Generation.
