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.
Route alternatives will be identified within the route selection study area based on feedback received and baseline technical and environmental information collected.
Consultation is a key component to Hydro One’s selection of its route alternatives. We will meet with Indigenous communities, residents, businesses, stakeholder groups, government agencies and other interested parties to understand the local environment and identify alternative routes that consider community interests. At the same time, we will also look at technical and environmental features and constraints such as waterbodies, dense residential areas, and environmentally significant areas, among others. While also looking for opportunities to reduce project impacts such as utilizing existing easements or paralleling existing infrastructure where reasonable.
Currently, we are completing the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (EA). The TOR will outline how the EA will be conducted, what will be assessed and how Indigenous communities, residents, businesses stakeholder groups, government agencies and other interested parties will be engaged throughout the EA. An important part of this process includes identifying the different route alternatives that will be studied and assessed within the environmental assessment.
Once the TOR has been approved by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Hydro One will begin the EA. Over the course of the EA, we will focus on studying and learning more about each route alternative by collecting data from a variety of sources such as existing reports and plans; conducting environmental field surveys and technical assessments; as well as holding a wide range of engagement opportunities to collect input and feedback. Through this process, we will evaluate and compare each of the route alternatives to select the preferred routes for the new transmission lines.
We anticipate preferred routes will be selected by early 2025 and will continue to keep community members informed and to seek your 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.
Your feedback is an important part of the planning process. It will help us better identify route alternatives during the Terms of Reference, develop and prioritize the criteria we will use to 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
