taltson project

In 1966, a hydroelectric generating facility was built on the Taltson River to provide power for the Pine Point Mine. The mine was closed in 1987. Since then, the hydro generation facility has been operating below its capacity, although it supplies power to Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Fort Fitzgerald.

The potential now exists to provide power to mines operating north of Great Slave Lake. The Ekati, Diavik, Snap Lake, and the proposed Gahcho Kué diamond mines require large amounts of energy. Currently the bulk of this energy is from fuel delivered once a year by winter road.

The proposed Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion Project would take advantage of the excess generating capacity and untapped hydroelectric potential of the Taltson area, and send power to the mines. The aim is to increase capacity at Taltson without flooding or otherwise damaging the environment. The Project involves Aboriginal peoples who can provide valuable feedback, resources, workers and traditional knowledge.

The proposed Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion Project would add a new power plant to the existing 18 MW Taltson Twin Gorges plant. The new plant will have a production of up to 56 MW, roughly twice the average needed to power Yellowknife. Using 690 kilometres of new transmission line, this facility would supply renewable electricity to the existing Ekati, Diavik and Snap Lake mines, and to the proposed Gahcho Kué mine.

This renewable hydro energy, in the range of 400 GWh per year, would displace 100 million litres of diesel fuel per year used by the mines for power generation. That’s equivalent to 2000 double tanker trucks each year. There would be substantial environmental benefits: less greenhouse gas emissions from using clean renewable hydro power and significantly less transportation of diesel across NWT roads; less risk to fish and wildlife habitats along the winter roads; and an overall 15 percent reduction in total annual NWT greenhouse gas emissions.

• Technical Details
• Socio-Economic Benefits
• Environmental Benefits
• Economic Benefits
• Consultations and Studies

Technical Details

The proposed Expansion Project includes the following key infrastructure components:

• A new hydroelectric station of up to 56MW at Twin Gorges, utilizing the existing plant forebay and the full elevation difference between the forebay and the Taltson River (40 m) below Elsie Falls, via a new 1250 m canal, penstocks and tailrace canal;
• A new gated control structure at the outlet of Nonacho Lake, including a micro-hydro plant for site-generated power;
• Interconnection of the new generating station and the existing 18 MW Twin Gorges generation plant in a new 115/161 kV switchyard at Twin Gorges; 554 km of 161 kV transmission line from Twin Gorges around the East Arm of Great Slave Lake through the Snap Lake/Gahcho Kué area to the Lac de Gras area;
• 136 km of 69 kV transmission line between Snap Lake and the proposed Gahcho Kué mine site, and between the Ekati and Diavik mine sites;
• and Five new substations, one at each mine site.

Socio-Economic Benefits

Expansion of the hydro generation facilities at Taltson by the three partners in Dezé Energy offers opportunities to improve the quality of life in NWT communities by:

• Stabilizing and reducing the energy component of the NWT’s high cost of living;
• Creating new jobs, training and business opportunities;
• Increasing the social benefits of economic development, employment and training;
• Developing a project compatible with the traditions of the Akaitcho and Métis peoples;
• Harnessing further potential from a river system that has already been developed.

Construction of the Taltson Expansion will create approximately 400 direct jobs over approximately three years, an equivalent of 216 person-years. Indirect employment opportunities include freight and fuel transport to Twin Gorges, building transmission line storage yards and camps over three winter road periods, camp operations, air transportation and engineering support.

The Expansion Project represents a substantial investment in the South Slave region. There would be substantial social, economic, and environmental benefits for residents of the South Slave and the Northwest Territories.

Additional benefits include:

• Providing an opportunity for collaboration and cooperation among the First Nations of the region through the unique Project ownership structure;
• Establishing a viable business model for future business opportunities that respects the values of Northwest Territories residents;
• Improving employment opportunities, income potential and infrastructure in the South Slave region;
• and Supporting the growth of healthy, sustainable communities.

Environmental Benefits

The Taltson Project encourages Aboriginal equity positions in energy development projects, it ensures protection of the environment, and it promotes renewable energy for industrial developments for the benefit of all residents.

There are other specific benefits, as well.

This clean energy power supply would replace annual consumption of approximately 100 million litres of diesel, which corresponds to approximately 2000 Super B Train loads on northern roads. This equates to a reduction of over 300 kilotonnes of CO₂ annually. 

The displacement of diesel fuel generation at the mine sites would far exceed the stated objectives of the Government of the Northwest Territories. For example, in 2007 the GNWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy targeted a 10% reduction of 2001 GHG levels by 2011 - for GNWT energy use only. The Taltson Project would reduce total NWT GHG emissions by 14%, a far greater achievement.  In fact, the Taltson Project stands to provide greater GHG emission reductions than all other GNWT efforts combined.  This would provide for a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, equal to slightly less than half of the reduction proposed by the GNWT in 1998.

Since there will be only minimal changes to the existing reservoir, there will be no additional flooding. In fact, the water flow will actually be more controlled, adding some stability to an area not known for a constant flow.

Studies to date have not determined that transmission lines have hd any impacts on caribou or caribou migration.

Fewer trucks hauling diesel will mean a reduced risk of accidents and spills, and far fewer impacts to wildlife along NWT highways and winter roads.

Most importantly, by adding capacity to the existing Taltson Project, the need for a new project in a pristine watershed is reduced.

Economic Benefits

• In addition to socio-economic benefits there are other long-term economic benefits:
• The development of an energy corridor northwards may assist development of new projects chat provide employment to Northerners;
• In the future, power could be provided to Yellowknife or to southern customers;
• By reducing operating costs, existing mine lives could be extended; and
• By reducing the loads on existing winter roads, the Project could help postpone the need for an all-season road.

Consultations and Studies

Local government and community consultations for the Expansion Project commenced in 2002 and 2003 through formal meetings with the leadership of the Akaitcho First Nations (Salt River First Nation, Smith’s Landing First Nation and Deninu Kué First Nation) and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation (locals in Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Hay River). These meetings were followed in 2004 with public information sessions in the communities of Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Hay River. Following creation of Dezé Energy Corporation, further community consultations occurred in early 2007 and will continue throughout the regulatory process, detailed design, construction, and operations phases.

The Expansion Project is located entirely within the Mackenzie Valley regulatory regime as defined by the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA). Regional Land and Water Boards regulate the use of settlement and Crown land and water use in their respective settlement areas.

In May 2007, a Water License Application and a Land Use Permit Application were filed with the Mackenzie Valley Land & Water Board (MVLWB), which marked the beginning of the regulatory process. On October 5th, 2007 the MWLWB referred the applications to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB) for Environmental Assessment (EA). It is anticipated that regulatory approval will be granted in fall 2009. The Project will continue to move ahead with studies, planning and preconstruction work until approval is obtained.

As part of the EA process, Dezé will continue working to address any information gaps and develop more in-depth information that is required by MVEIRB. For more information about the MVEIRB the EA process, please visit http://www.mveirb.nt.ca.