Ontario's demand for electricity is increasing. To meet this growing demand, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has identified the need for the Red Lake Transmission Line project. Once built, the project will provide additional capacity to the area and improve reliability in the Northwest.
The Red Lake Transmission Line project is expected to strengthen regional reliability and reinforce the grid for newly-connected, northern communities and the broader region. Access to reliable electricity in northwest Ontario is essential to support local communities, enable economic growth and strengthen the northern Ontario transmission network.
Once built, the Red Lake Transmission Line will add approximately 400 megawatts of electricity capacity to northwest Ontario, enough to power a city the size of Thunder Bay twice. The line will be developed with local priorities in mind, and we'll continue to work with First Nation partners to incorporate local interests where possible.
Your feedback is important to the successful development of this new transmission line. The local knowledge we receive helps us select a route that minimizes effects on the environment and community. Our team will continue to have meetings, workshops, and community open houses to help us gather information that considers the interests and needs of the communities.
Local knowledge about the environment, including the natural and socio-economic environment, was used to help inform the selection of alternative routes and will continue to be used during the evaluation to select a preferred route. Input from community members, Indigenous communities, elected officials, property owners, and other stakeholders help us throughout the evaluation process and identifying potential ways to avoid, mitigate or restore potential environmental effects from the project.
Over the course of the Class EA, route alternatives are studied by collecting data from a variety of sources, including existing reports and plans, conducting environmental field surveys and technical assessments, as well as engagement opportunities to gather input and feedback.
Through technical analysis, we evaluate route alternatives to identify a preferred route. The analysis balances project-specific criteria in four categories: natural environment, socio-economic environment, Indigenous culture, values and land use, and technical and cost.
At this stage of the project, our focus is on gathering information and feedback about route alternatives. No decisions about individual properties have been made.
Please contact us at community.relations@hydroone.com or 1-877-345-6799 to be connected to discuss next steps.
