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Hydro One provides update on power restoration efforts

July 18, 2006, 9:30 a.m. — A severe summer storm system that moved across the province yesterday evening and overnight has left approximately 170,000 Hydro One customers without power this morning.

High winds, hundreds of downed trees and lightning have caused substantial damage to lines, poles and other hydro equipment. While the weather picture has improved, Hydro One estimates that due to size of the storm path and its widespread damage, power restoration could take 3 to 5 days.

Hydro One has dispatched all available crews to first determine the nature and extent of storm related damage concurrent with its efforts to restore power.

"Hydro One has mobilized and deployed all available lines and forestry crews in the affected areas and is working to restore power in the hardest hit communities," said Myles D'Arcey, Senior Vice President, Customer Operations. "We will also call in additional external resources to help us with our power restoration efforts. We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during this challenging period and will continue to provide updates regarding our restoration efforts."

To aid in the restoration of a reliable supply of electricity, customers are asked to turn off all major appliances. The public is advised to stay away from downed power lines.

For the most recent information on power outages go to www.HydroOneNetworks.com.

Hydro One owns and operates Ontario's 28,400 kilometre high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 122,000 kilometre low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.2 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.