Register for another OPW Connects webinar!
Join us for an upcoming CONNECTS webinar featuring insights from the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project. Majority-owned by a partnership of 24 First Nations and developed in partnership with Fortis Inc. and other investors, this initiative has connected remote communities in northwestern Ontario to the provincial power grid through nearly 1,800 kilometres of transmission lines and 22 substations. Our speakers will explore how this massive project, spanning an area the size of Germany, was delivered despite extreme remoteness, limited road access, and narrow winter construction windows. Learn how Hatch Ltd., serving as Owner’s Engineer, helped develop execution strategies that balanced cost, safety, and logistics while supporting strong Indigenous participation and ensuring meaningful benefits for First Nation communities.
Margaret Kenequanash
Margaret Kenequanash has spent over 20 years leading initiatives to bring reliable power to First Nations in northern Ontario. She has been CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power since August 2017: an Indigenous-led, licensed transmission entity that brought grid connection to remote First Nations previously powered by diesel generators. Margaret has a vast wealth of knowledge gleaned from over 25 years in various high-level positions, including being on the Sioux Lookout Municipal Council from 1990-1994 and Executive Director of the Shibogama First Nations Council from 2005-2017. Margaret carries the distinction of being the first female Chief in her community at North Caribou Lake First Nation when she was elected in 1996. She is well known and respected throughout First Nation communities and government for her work in promoting opportunities and better quality of life for First Nation Peoples.
Adeel Afzal
Adeel Afzal is a Professional Engineer and certified PMP with 30+ years of global experience in delivering power transmission projects. Adeel’s experience includes power transmission projects in Canada, the United States, Asia, Australia, South Africa and South America. Adeel combines experiences gained in many roles, including project planning, engineering-designs, Owner’s Engineer, Independent Engineer, construction and EPC execution. Adeel has worked on transmission projects up to 500 kV AC and ±660 kV HVDC, including greenfield and brownfield constructions. Adeel feels very honoured to have lead Hatch’s Owner’s Engineer mandate to support Wataynikaneyap Power towards successful planning and execution, throughout the project lifecycle, of the challenging Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission System: an unprecedented example of First Nations building and owning a major power infrastructure project on their Homelands.