An official states that the 300-kilometre, 500-kilovolt power project will help meet demands in northern Ontario due to growth in mining and other industries.
Hydro One is returning to local communities this month to inform residents about how its roughly 300‑kilometre, 500‑kilovolt transmission line connecting Barrie and Sudbury is progressing.
Company representatives will engage with residents through a series of open houses over the coming weeks, sharing information about the significant north-south power initiative, which is now advancing through specific study areas and detailed route planning.
The line, which Hydro One plans to construct, is expected to be operational by 2032 and will supply up to 1,500 megawatts northbound and 1,000 megawatts southbound – enough energy for between 600,000 and one million homes.
While the final path has not been confirmed yet, Hydro One has narrowed down its preferred corridor for the project. Sonny Karunakaran, vice‑president of strategic projects and partnerships, explained that this change reflects feedback received during previous open houses and community interactions.
“We’ve advanced the project since the last time we met with the public,” Karunakaran told Barrie Today. He noted that Hydro One initiated a study area in April and gathered input through open houses, community engagement efforts, and technical analysis. “We used that input to refine our study area, and what we have now is a smaller, more focused corridor.”
Karunakaran mentioned that Hydro One is going back into communities to show residents the results of its work thus far-specifically how the study area has been narrowed down into a more precise zone for where the transmission line could be constructed.
“We’re coming back out to share what the updated area looks like and how the project has evolved,” he said.
He added that after this round of open houses concludes, Hydro One will again consider public input. They expect to release potential route options later this year, aiming for a preferred route announcement in spring 2027.
When asked about how earlier engagement influenced the project’s direction, Karunakaran said that public feedback has already made an impact on planning. The study area has been significantly reduced since Hydro One first introduced it in April.
“At its widest point, the area we were looking at was about 100 kilometres,” he stated. “Based on the feedback we received; we’ve refined that down to roughly 40 kilometres at its widest section.”
Ongoing engagement will help further narrow down options as well, Karunakaran added.
“With this next round of feedback, we’re hopeful that later this year we’ll have a few route options to focus on before identifying a preferred route,” he mentioned.
The upcoming round of open houses starts Monday with a virtual session on July 27. In-person events kick off on July 28-one being held at Midhurst United Church on Aug. 4-to provide residents along the corridor another opportunity to review the refined study area and give their input.
Karunakaran highlighted that rising electricity demand across Ontario is driving this project forward-especially in northern regions.
“We’re seeing a lot of economic development activity in northern Ontario – some of it in mining; some in other sectors,” he remarked. “Projects like the Barrie-Sudbury transmission line are being developed to meet that growth.”
This new line aims to strengthen Ontario’s existing north-south electricity network by boosting transfer capacity between these two areas while enhancing overall system reliability as well. Hydro One expects it will be operational by late 2032.
The province has expedited plans for this line between Barrie and Sudbury to ease an existing power bottleneck while supporting rising demands linked with mining activities as well as electrification efforts within industry. Additionally, they’ve directed Hydro One to start development work on another line together with Energy Corridor First Nations.
Karunakaran shared that Hydro One intends to distribute updated materials at each open house venue-including interactive maps available online-that illustrate their refined focus study area. He expressed hope that these upcoming sessions would continue fostering dialogue with residents and businesses along this corridor.
“We want to show how we’ve adjusted based on feedback we’ve received so far while also learning even more from people which will help us refine potential route options planned for later release this year,” he stated.
The participation of locals remains vital as progress continues with this initiative according to Karunakaran’s comments.
“We appreciate all past feedback and engagement efforts so far; we understand everyone leads busy lives but if they can join us at these open houses again-it would really help us hear from them,” he urged. “It’s an excellent chance for individuals to ask questions or voice any concerns they might have while helping shape solutions related to delivering these projects.”
The schedule for open houses includes:
Tuesdays from 3 p. m. -7 p. m.:
July 28: French River: Alban Community Centre located at 96 Highway 64
Aug. 4: Midhurst: Midhurst United Church located at 91 Doran Rd.
Aug. 11: Sudbury (Falconbridge): Falconbridge Community Centre located at 63 Edison Rd.
Thursdays from 3 p. m.-7 p. m.:
July 30: Georgian Bay (Port Severn): Baxter Ward Community Centre located at 25 Community Centre Dr.
Aug. 6: Parry Sound (Mc Dougall): Waubamik Community Hall located at 6 Hurdville Rd.
Aug. 13: Seguin (Foley): Foley Community Hall located at 60 Rankin Lake Rd.
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