December 2009 | Hydro One modifies proposed transmission line route alignment (Leamington/Lakeshore area)
Based on input received from local property owners at a workshop held on October 29, 2009 at the Comber Community Centre, Hydro One will modify the northern portion of the proposed transmission line route presented on July 16, 2009 at the Public Information Centre (PIC) #3 in Leamington. A 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line is required to connect the proposed Hydro One transformer station on Concession Road 6 in the Municipality of Leamington to the existing transmission lines located south of Highway 401.
At PIC #3, Hydro One was asked to consider alternative transmission line routes between Lakeshore Roads 243 and 245 that would follow existing property lines, if possible. Hydro One had previously investigated routing options in 2008 and determined that a mid-concession route was not feasible due to the proposed location of wind turbines for the Comber Wind Project. Hydro One agreed to re-examine the suggested routes and identified one technically-feasible alternative west of Lakeshore Road 245.
At the October 29 workshop, Hydro One reviewed the route alternatives with area property owners and sought their input on the evaluation criteria which should be considered most important when assessing the two alternative routes. For full details, read the Workshop Report and Appendices.
Hydro One is completing the Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) for this project and it will be made available for public review and comment early in 2010.
July 2009 | Hydro One nears completion of Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to reinforce the electricity transmission system in Essex County
The following new facilities, shown on the map below, are being proposed to ensure an adequate and reliable supply of power for the future:
- a new transformer station in Leamington and a new double circuit 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line on a new corridor to connect the station to the existing 230 kV lines south of Hwy 401; and
- an additional 230 kV line on the existing transmission corridor between Sandwich Junction near Maidstone and Lauzon Transformer Station in Windsor.
The facilities would be built in stages, with the Leamington Transformer Station and connector line proceeding first.
Preferred Transmission Alternative Map
October 2008 | Public Information panels available
Hydro One has posted the detailed ortho tiles that were presented at public information centres in Tecumseh on July 23, 2008 and Leamington on July 24, 2008. Download the maps below (ZIP files containing PDF maps - high-speed Internet recommended):
Hydro One and its consultants are continuing to explore potential sites for a new transformer station in the Municipality of Leamington, and to study the alternative transmission line routes A and B that would connect the new station to the existing 230 kilovolt lines that supply Essex County.
Hydro One will hold a third round of public information centres (PICs) once a preferred station site and transmission line route have been identified, and will seek further public and stakeholder input at that time. It is anticipated that the next PICs will be held later this Fall.
July 2008 | Hydro One completes first and second Public Information Centres
Hydro One has completed the first and second round of public and stakeholder consultation and information gathering for its Class Environmental Assessment (EA) project and has identified a preferred transmission reinforcement plan for Essex County and Windsor. Transmission Alternative #2, as described below, has been selected as the preferred alternative based on an analysis of technical, environmental, social and cost factors, and public and stakeholder feedback.
Hydro One and the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) first introduced its preferred alternative and outlined the next steps in the Class EA process at the municipal council meetings on July 7 and July 8 in the Municipality of Leamington, Town of Kingsville, Town of Lakeshore, and Town of Tecumseh. See the presentations made by the OPA (PDF 567 KB) and Hydro One (PDF 409 KB).