Ontario is speeding up the construction of a significant new transmission line connecting Barrie to Sudbury. The province has declared this project a priority and has officially appointed Hydro One to handle its development in collaboration with First Nations along the route.
The planned single-circuit, 500-kilovolt transmission line will stretch approximately 290 kilometres from the Essa Transformer Station near Barrie to the Hanmer Transformer Station just outside Sudbury.
When completed, this line is expected to supply up to 1,500 megawatts of electricity to northern Ontario and an additional 1,000 megawatts southward. This will help ease an increasing transmission bottleneck and support mining activities, electrification efforts, and industrial growth across the north.
The province states that this project will generate over 9,000 jobs, with Hydro One pledging to obtain most materials and services from Canadian vendors.
Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff made the announcement alongside Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce and leaders from the Energy Corridor First Nations (ECFN), a growing group of First Nations whose lands lie along the proposed route.
“Transmission investments are a crucial part of our plan to meet growing electricity demand across Ontario,” Oosterhoff said, highlighting increasing industrial needs and long-term population growth in northern communities.
According to the Independent Electricity System Operator, electricity demand in northern Ontario is forecasted to rise by 81 percent by 2050. This increase is largely driven by mining expansion and electrification. Industry forecasts indicate that as many as 41 new mines could open by 2033, putting pressure on infrastructure initially designed for smaller, more spread-out communities.
The Barrie-to-Sudbury line marks the first phase of a two-part plan recommended by IESO. The initial line is expected to be operational by 2032 while preliminary work will commence on a second parallel line that would allow for quicker capacity expansion if demand continues to rise.
The province has issued several orders-in-council designating Hydro One as the transmitter and classifying the first line as a priority project in order to minimize regulatory delays. Consultation regarding this project has already been conducted through the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
Local leaders and industry groups welcomed this announcement, stating that it will be vital for unlocking housing opportunities, industrial development, and investment throughout northern Ontario.
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall and Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre both emphasized that this line is essential infrastructure for future growth in their areas.
“The Barrie-Sudbury Transmission Project is a major win for our city and the Greater Barrie Area,” Mayor Nuttall said. “It will create more than 9,000 jobs, support economic growth, and ensure Barrie continues to be a strong, thriving community.”
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