The Taltson Hydro Expansion Project will expand the existing Taltson generating station and connect the Northwest Territories’ hydroelectric systems to provide clean energy to the mineral-rich Slave Geological Province.

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Quick Facts

• The Taltson River system has 200 MW of electrical generation potential.
• A 60 MW expansion of Taltson could remove 240,000 tonnes of GHG emissions annually.
• 270 km of transmission lines will connect Taltson to North Slave hydro system.

Project Phases

1. Connect the Taltson Hydro System to the North Slave Hydro System and add 60 MW of capacity.
2. Provide clean energy to the Slave Geological Province and resource sector.
3. Connect the NWT electrical grid to the Southern electrical grid.

Project Highlights

• The project is part of a full service infrastructure corridor concept (transportation/energy/communications) that would provide clean energy to the mineral-rich Slave Geological Province.
• Initial expansion will add 60 MW of generation capacity to the existing 18 MW facility.
• Increased generation capacity would help stabilize electricity rates for NWT residents and businesses.
• The project would provide partnership opportunities for Indigenous governments and job opportunities for Northerners.
• The 60 MW run-of-the-river expansion project would have no new flooding,
  minimizing environmental impacts.

Current Status

• Work is underway to develop transmission and hydro plans, fulfill environmental responsibilities, engage stakeholders, finalize the project business case and establish strong Indigenous partner relationships.
• The Government of Canada has committed $18 million to the project since 2018.
• In 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government of the Northwest Territories, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, which includes the Fort Resolution Métis Government, Fort Smith Métis Council and Hay River Métis Government Council, and the Akaitcho Territory Government, which includes the Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation, Denı́nu Kų́ę́ First Nation, and Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
• Two technically viable transmission line routes are being advanced:
  • An approximately 805 km line, which travels west around the Great Slave Lake, following the existing highway right-of-way, and;
  • An approximately 320 km transmission line from Twin Gorges to Yellowknife, which includes 160 km of overhead transmission from Twin Gorges to the south shore of Great Slave Lake and 160 km of submarine cable to Yellowknife.