Generating station operational on New Post Creek.

The Peter Sutherland Sr. Generating Station is now operational.

The multi-year, $300-million project--which is a partnership between Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Coral Rapids Power, a company wholly owned by Taykwa Tagamou Nation--is located on New Post Creek, about 80 kilometres north of Smooth Rock Falls.

Named for a respected community elder, the station has two units providing 28 megawatts to the provincial power grid--enough to power 25,000 homes.

The project team installed two turbines, a steel penstock, a 340-metrelong open channel, a spillway dam and a seven-kilometre transmission line.

The turbines use a portion of the water flowing down New Post Creek to generate electricity by moving water 250 metres through a penstock to the power house on the Abitibi River. The remaining water will continue to flow over the falls to maintain its natural beauty.

"This project has gone well due to the relationship we've built on a foundation of respect and trust," said Coral Rapids president Wayne Ross. "There have been many benefits...