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History of Kagiano Power

Building on the successful commissioning of the Black River generating station, Pic River was approached by Rapid-Eau Technologies Inc., a hydro-development company based in Cambridge, Ontario, to partner on the development of 4.9 megawatt station on the Kagiano River at Twin Falls, north of Pic River. In 1992 the Pic River First Nation, Rapid Eau and several independent investors formed the Twin Falls Limited Partnership and the Kagiano Power Corporation to build this new opportunity. After receiving approval for its environmental assessment, Kagiano Power made application to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in 1998 for authorization to construct the project.

The original proposal involved damming the Kagiano River. A power house was to be constructed at the base of the falls. After public consultation, the final plan was adopted, with the company proposing a run of river facility in order to mitigate impacts on fishery habitat and spawning grounds. Other changes were incorporated into the final design which included the construction of a power house buried and completely from view. Today, visitors can see the control house, a diversion weir, but the power house is situated over a 100 feet below the control house.

The total development costs were approximately million which included: 1.6 million for transmission line, 5.4 million for the power house/control station and 3 million in engineering and development works.

Power generated from the project is transmitted to the Ontario Hydro grid via a 30 kilometer 44 kV transmission line, which will connect to the existing Manitouwadge (Ontario Hydro) transmission line. PowerTel was contracted to complete this job. Local labour and services from Orcoyen Logging were also used on this portion of the project.

The station has produced power since its commissioning date in June 2000. It is expected to generate clean renewable power for the next 40 years. All of the electricity produced at Twin Falls is consumed locally, in Manitouwadge and Hornpayne.

Since then, the Pic River First Nation has successfully purchased the Kagiano Power Corporation and a majority of the Twin Falls Limited Partnership, making it the first generating station in Ontario owned and operated by a First Nation.

The Owner

Pic River First Nation is recognized as a leader in renewable energy development. Pic River has become known for sound management practices and innovative approaches to site development. Our goals are simple, to establish projects that are self sustaining and profitable.

Location of Operation

Twin falls is located mile from the mouth of the Kagiano River and 20 kilometers west of Manitouwadge. It has a series of falls and rapids stretching 660 meters, with a total drop of 54.3 meters. Upstream, the channel is split into two parallel sets of falls, with a narrow island separating them. There is a canoe route to the south of the falls, with remains of a bush trail to Manitou Falls to the north. The area is surrounded by forest.

The Technology: Hydro-electric Power

Hydro-electric power plants convert the kinetic energy contained in falling water into electricity. The energy in flowing water is ultimately derived from the sun, and is therefore constantly being renewed. Energy constrained in sunlight evaporates water from the oceans and deposits it on land in the form of rain. Differences in land elevation result in rainfall runoff, and allow some of the original solar energy to be captured as Hydro-electric power.

Hydro power is currently the world's largest renewable source of electricity, accounting for 6% of worldwide energy supply or about 15% of the world's electricity. In Canada, Hydro-electric power is abundant and supplies 60% of our electrical needs. Traditionally thought of as a cheap and clean source of electricity, most large Hydro-electric schemes being planned today are coming up against a great deal of opposition from environmental groups and native people.

How do you make electricity from water?

Electricity is not .made from water.. The water is used to drive the turbines, which in turn drives the generators connected to them. It is the generators that make electricity. The water drives the turbines of the generator, which in turn spin a shaft on which a rotor sits and spins on top of the shaft. The rotor has magnets on it. The rotor spins inside a stationary stator which also has magnets. Electricity is produced from the electrical magnetic field that is created by the effect of the spinning magnets (rotor) inside an area of stationary magnets (stator). The production of electricity by this method is known as .hydro electricity production. is environmentally sound as no greenhouse gases are emitted in this process. It takes about 32 seconds for the spinning turbines to to reach their rated speed at 720 RPMs, and about two minutes for the generators to reach their maximum output of 5 MW.

Goals of the Company

Kagiano Power Corporation's goal is to generate renewable electricity for sale into the grid. We are concerned about creating profit through our investments, but profit through sustainable operations is of paramount importance. Kagiano Power Corporation looks to support the future growth of Pic River's energy companies, providing employment for First Nation's members and others from surrounding communities. Kagiano Power Corporation is committed to accomplishing this by:

1. Providing on-going opportunities for local businesses.
2. Establish strong relationships with the industry.
3. Establish solid reputation for being a quality employer.
4. Create a permanent presence in the region.
5. Establish an enterprise, versatile enough for expansion into other economic ventures.