Energizing life for communities

The new PowerCo electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility requires 380 megawatts of power, equivalent to the energy needed for a city the size of Windsor. Given the magnitude of supply required, the current capacity that can be achieved through reasonable upgrades of existing transmission lines will be inadequate to meet the demand for the facility.

380 megawatts of power are required to energize the new EV battery manufacturing facility. To supply this power, Hydro One needs to build one new transformer station and two new 230-kilovolt transmission lines. The two new transmission lines include a 2km double-circuit line in St. Thomas and a 20km double-circuit line between St. Thomas and City of London.  Both transmission lines are essential to meet the power needs of the facility.

When identifying the route alternatives for this project, we carefully assessed various natural, socio-economic and technical constraints. This includes environmentally significant areas such as conservation areas, residential and industrial property developments, the number of properties affected, and the crossing of existing infrastructure among other considerations. We also looked at opportunities such as paralleling existing linear infrastructure like transmission lines or major roads, where feasible.

While Route Alternative 1 parallels the existing transmission line right-of-way west of Highbury Avenue for approximately one-third of the way, our team did look at whether we could follow the corridor for a greater distance.  In our review, we determined that there are several constraints that create challenges to parallel the entire corridor length. These included:

• At the north end of the route, there was lack of sufficient space required for the approximate 45 metre (150 ft) wide corridor, as it would directly cross over several industrial buildings. There were also technical constraints due to the Highway 401 overpass and industrial parks to the south of freeway.
• Crossing the Kettle Creek Valley presents challenges due to the constraints from the Dan Patterson Conservation Area and the extensive clearing of mature vegetation that would be necessary. In selecting a preferred route Hydro One aims to minimize the impact to mature vegetation where possible.
• At the south end of the route, there was lack of sufficient space to accommodate the corridor and right of way, as it would directly intersect and cross several residential dwellings.

While farming and agricultural operations are considered a compatible use within Hydro One transmission line rights-of-ways, minimizing impacts to agricultural operations is a primary concern for the project team at Hydro One. As we continue our environmental and construction planning for this project, we will look for opportunities to avoid, protect and mitigate any potential damage to environmental features, including concerns related to soil compaction and drainage, to every extent possible and, where necessary, make appropriate repairs.

It is our goal to build a transmission line that considers the interests and needs of the community. Feedback gathered through ongoing consultation with farmers and other community members will be considered throughout the Class Environmental Assessment process.

Your feedback is important to the successful development this new transmission line. Since the beginning, we’ve heard from residents through meetings, email, phone, community open houses and comment forms. The local knowledge we have received about the environment, including the natural and socio-economic environment, will help us to select a route that minimizes adverse effects to the environment.

Our goal is to continue hearing as much local input as possible about the project so that we can work towards building a line that community members and property owners can see their feedback reflected in.

Please provide feedback at anytime by contacting Hydro One Community Relations at: Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or 1.877.345.6799

Prior to the start of the Class Environmental Assessment, we conducted preliminary work to identify route alternatives. We mapped out local features and constraints such as waterbodies, residential areas, environmentally significant areas, and looked for opportunities to parallel linear infrastructure where feasible. Based on that information, we are studying three route alternatives and their variations.

Engagement is vital to the planning process. We will meet with Indigenous communities, members of the public, businesses, government agencies and other interested parties to better understand the region and local interests. As a part of our environmental assessment, we will also collect data, conduct environmental field surveys and perform technical assessments. Using both the feedback and information collected, each route will be evaluated and compared to ultimately selected a preferred route.

Your feedback is an important part of the planning process. It will help us 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 feedback at anytime by contacting Hydro One Community Relations at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or 1-877-345-6799.