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Hydro One spending $21 million to improve delivery reliability to Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge areas

April 6, 2006 - Hydro One is spending $21 million improving electricity delivery reliability to Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge areas by upgrading its high-voltage transmission facilities.

Power is supplied to the Waterloo region on high-voltage lines that feed transformer stations (TSs). Transformers at these stations reduce or "step down" voltage so electricity can leave the station on low-voltage lines owned by local utilities for delivery to end users.

Demand for electricity in the region has been growing significantly over the last few years, and even more growth is forecasted in the next 5-10 years. Improvements in Hydro One's transmission system are necessary to keep pace with this growth.

The project will include adding a new transformer at Preston TS in Cambridge, two new circuit breakers on a 115,000 volt (115 kilovolt or kV) line, and a 1.5 kilometre double circuit 115 kV line.

Work has already begun and is scheduled for completion in summer 2007.

"Growth in the region has been substantial, and our transmission circuits and transformers serving these communities are approaching their maximum capacity," explained Mike Penstone, Director, System Development. "This project is an excellent example of Hydro One's commitment to invest in its system and provide customers with the highest level of electricity delivery reliability."

Over the past five years Hydro One has invested about $4.5 billion in capital projects and maintenance to sustain and upgrade its high-voltage transmission and low-voltage distribution systems throughout the province. It plans to invest an additional $5.5 billion in system maintenance and upgrades over the next five years.

Hydro One delivers electricity safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses across the province of Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 28,000 kilometre high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 125,000 kilometre low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Ontario Government.

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For more information and to make arrangements for photography, contact Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868. Our Web site is www.HydroOne.com.