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Longwood to Lakeshore Project

Energizing life for communities

Hydro One is committed to energizing life for communities, residents, and businesses in the southwest through a network built for the possibilities of tomorrow.

Current project phase: Planning

Expected in-service date:
Line 1: 2030
Line 2: will be determined upon further planning by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

Overview Community benefits
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Project overview

As demand for electricity in southwest Ontario is anticipated to grow significantly over the next several years, Hydro One is initiating an Environmental Assessment (EA) for two new single-circuit 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines from Longwood Transformer Station (TS) located in the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc to Lakeshore TS in the Municipality of Lakeshore.

For over 100 years, we’ve been powering the region and we will continue to provide safe and reliable electricity where and when it’s needed. This proposed project is part of a comprehensive network of electricity infrastructure in the southwest that will provide many regional benefits including: improved resiliency and reliability, economic growth and investments, and support for local food supply and security. For more information on all projects taking place in the region, you can visit HydroOne.com/Projects

We’re here to help you

To provide comments or to be added to the project contact list, please call or email:

1-877-345-6799

Map of route alternatives

Based on technical, socio-economic and environmental constraints in the route selection study area as well as local knowledge and input, Hydro One has identified three viable route alternatives, each with variations, for the new transmission lines.

Your feedback is an important part of our project planning process. You can share input about the areas or features important to you or your community directly on our interactive map. Your feedback will be considered in the evaluation of the route alternatives and selection of a preferred route.

Project map

Benefits to the region

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Growing communities

Southwest Ontario continues to attract new businesses and residents to the region. As communities grow, Hydro One is providing the power that supports new jobs, homes and industries.

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Clean, reliable energy

As Ontario’s energy needs grow, Hydro One brings safe, clean electricity where and when it’s needed.

Food security

The new transmission lines will support expanding industries and the agri-business sector that helps put food on tables across the country.

Join our upcoming community open houses

Chatham

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

St. Andrew’s United Church

85 William St. S

Get directions

Comber

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Comber Community Centre

6211 McAllaster St.

Get directions

Thamesville

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Brunner Community Centre

32 Wallace St.

Get directions

Glencoe

Thursday, April 4, 2024

4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Glencoe Agricultural Hall

268 Currie St.

Get directions

Can’t visit us in person? Register for our virtual community open house and live discussion on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:00 – 8:00pm

Register Here

Planning process

The EA process is an important part of our project planning and assesses potential effects of the new transmission lines, determines measures to avoid or mitigate these effects, and evaluates the route alternatives to select the preferred route. The EA ensures that potential natural, economic, social and cultural effects are thoroughly considered before a project begins.

Engagement with Indigenous communities, the public, businesses, stakeholder groups, government agencies and other interested parties is critical to help us evaluate the route alternatives and select a preferred route that considers the needs and interests of the region.

While the project initially began as a Comprehensive EA, due to recent regulatory changes, the planning of this project will now follow the "Class Environmental Assessment for Transmission Facilities" (Class EA for TF, 2024) established in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

In addition to the Class EA, the project will require Ontario Energy Board approval under Section 92 (Leave to Construct) of the Ontario Energy Board Act.

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Anticipated project schedule

2023
Initial open houses, data collection and development of route alternatives
March – April
2024
Notice of Commencement of Class EA, release of route alternatives and open houses
2024
Consultation and data collection in support of the EA
Early 2025
Selection of preferred route
Mid-2025
Release the Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) for review and comment
2025-2026
Completion of detailed design and other permits and approvals, including Leave to Construct (Section 92) approval from the Ontario Energy Board
Late 2025
Submit Final ESR and complete the Class EA process
2027
Start of construction on Line 1
2030
Line 1 in service
*Dates are subject to change.

Line 2 construction and in-service date to be determined upon further planning by the IESO.

Leave to Construct under Section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 is a regulatory process to obtain approval from the OEB to build and operate a transmission line.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the need for this new transmission line?

In Ontario, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is responsible for ensuring that future energy needs are being met. According to the IESO, electricity demand in the southwest region is expected to quadruple by 2035.

To support this growth, the IESO has identified through their long-term planning the need for the first transmission line to be in-service by 2030. With such significant demand expected, the Government of Ontario has advised Hydro One to concurrently conduct early development work on the second transmission line while the IESO further assesses the future energy needs of the region. This will allow for more efficient planning, as well as more meaningful and transparent consultation with Indigenous communities, residents, municipalities, and stakeholders.

How did you identify the route alternatives?

Based on the technical, socio-economic and environmental constraints in the route selection study area, as well as local knowledge and input received through engagement since the project launched in early 2023, Hydro One has identified three viable route alternatives, each with variations, for the new transmission lines. Consultation is a key component to select route alternatives. As part of our engagement, we met with Indigenous communities, residents, businesses, stakeholder groups, government agencies and other interested parties to understand the local environment and identify route alternatives that consider community interests. Additionally, we looked at technical and environmental features and constraints such as waterbodies, dense residential areas, and environmentally significant areas, while also looking for opportunities to reduce project impacts through for example utilizing existing corridors or paralleling existing infrastructure.

How will the preferred route be selected?

Over the course of the Class EA, we will focus on studying and learning more about each route alternatives by collecting data from a variety of sources, such as existing reports and plans, conducting environmental field surveys and technical assessments, as well as engagement opportunities to gather input and feedback. Through this process, we will evaluate and compare each of the route alternatives to select the preferred route.

We anticipate the preferred route will be selected by early 2025 and will continue to keep community members updated and seek feedback. Please contact Hydro One Community Relations at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or 1-877-345-6799 to join our project contact list and stay involved.

How will feedback be used as part of the Environmental Assessment process?

Your feedback is an important part of the planning process. It will help us evaluate and compare each route in the evaluation process, as well as identify potential ways to avoid, mitigate or restore potential project impacts.

Please provide your feedback at any time by contacting Hydro One Community Relations at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or 1-877-345-6799

I received a letter indicating my property may be impacted. How can I get more information?

It is important to note that the preferred route has not been selected and individual property impacts have not yet been determined. We are communicating early with potentially impacted landowners along each of the route alternatives to make them aware and ensure their feedback is included in our assessment.

Once a preferred route is selected, the Hydro One Real Estate team will work with directly affected property owners.

Please contact us at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or 1-877-345-6799 so we can setup a time to meet with you one-on-one.

How are the effects on agricultural operations being considered?

We know the important role farmers have in supporting Ontario’s economy and we are committed to minimizing potential effects to agricultural operations during and after construction. We’ve had the opportunity to learn about farming operations from other projects we’ve been working on to- date, including the opportunity to see first-hand the size of modern-day farming equipment.

An important part of the EA process involves identifying potential environmental effects of the project, including effects to the socio-economic environment such as agricultural operations, and identifying high-level mitigation measures that could be applied to avoid or minimize these effects.

Land acknowledgement

Hydro One acknowledges that the Longwood to Lakeshore Project is proposed on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. Hydro One understands that Indigenous Nations have been here since time immemorial and are stewards of what many refer to as Turtle Island. We are all Treaty People and with a commitment to friendship and our pursuit of reconciliation, we are thankful to be welcomed on these lands as partners in our shared future so we can improve on our past and energize our combined futures.

To provide comments or to be added to the project contact list, please connect with us

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