Three planned transmission lines in Ontario to cost $1.5 B
There are three new transmission lines in the works for northeastern Ontario, that will cost an estimated $1.5 billion to build.
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Three planned transmission lines in Ontario to cost $1.5B
Canada, Ontario: There are three new transmission lines in the works for northeastern Ontario, that will cost an estimated $1.5 billion to build.
Ahmed Maria, director of transmission planning with Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), said the lines are needed to meet growing electricity demand from the mining industry and Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie. “Algoma Steel is electrifying its operations by connecting to electric arc furnaces and that will almost double the demand for electricity that we’re seeing in Sault Ste. Marie,” he added.
The IESO operates Ontario’s electricity system and looks ahead 20 years to predict what demand will be and help decide how to meet it. The switch away from fossil fuels due to electric vehicles or switch to heat pumps to warm their homes will drive up some demand in northeastern Ontario, but it’s minimal compared to industry.
One of the transmission lines will cover 260 kilometres connecting the Wawa Transformer Station and the Porcupine Transformer Station in northeastern Ontario. The other two will connect Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. One will go from Sudbury to Blind River, and the other will continue from Blind River to Sault Ste. Marie. The transmission lines connecting Sault Ste.Marie and Sudbury are planned to be completed by 2029. The line connecting Wawa and Porcupine is expected to be finished by 2030. The lines will carry electricity generated in northern Ontario and other parts of the province. They will also involve First Nations in the regions as partners in construction and maintenance.
The province is still accepting bids for the Wawa to Porcupine line, and two First Nations coalitions have already applied. The Wabun Tribal Council (Mattagami, Brunswick House, Matachewan, Flying Post and Chapleau Ojibwe First Nations) is partnering with Hydro One to bid on the transmission line. Another coalition, called the Transmission Infrastructure Partnerships 9 (TIP-9) (Taykwa Tagamou, Michipicoten, Chapleau Cree and Missanabie Cree First Nations) coalition has also bid on the same project.
For the southern lines, connecting Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, the Batchewana, Garden River, Thessalon, Mississauga, Serpent River, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, and Wahnapitae First Nations have formed a consortium to partner with Hydro One on the projects.
The province has named Hydro One its preferred partner for the two lines. In 2022, Hydro One launched its First Nations 50-50 equity model, and is using it for future projects. The projects will create job opportunities for participating Nations. And because they have a long lead up time, it gives Hydro One time to train people on construction and maintenance of the infrastructure.
Source: CBC