Province building new lines and upgrading old ones because 'Ontario is growing fast and so is our energy demand'
The Ontario government has unveiled plans to build two new electricity transmission lines and upgrade two existing lines in a bid to meet the province’s rising energy demands and drive economic development. This move represents one of the largest transmission investments in Ontario’s history.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the initiative involves approximately 160 kilometres of new and upgraded transmission lines to support growing energy needs across Ontario. The announcement follows the government’s recent plans for the largest nuclear expansion in the province’s history.
“Ontario is growing fast and so is our energy demand,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “That’s why we’re planning early and advancing approximately 160 km of new and upgraded transmission lines to connect people and businesses to the affordable, secure, reliable and clean energy they’ll need in the years ahead.”
The new and upgraded lines are intended to power manufacturing facilities, greenhouse operations, and expanding communities. Over the next 25 years, electricity demand in Ontario is projected to grow by 75 percent, with industrial demand alone expected to rise by 40 percent in the next five years.
To address these challenges, the province will consult on proposals to prioritize three major transmission projects:
- A new line from Bowmanville to the Greater Toronto Area, connecting new electricity generation in Eastern Ontario, including the Darlington small modular reactors (SMRs), to Ontario’s grid.
- A new line from Windsor to Lakeshore, aimed at meeting the growing energy needs of Windsor-Essex’s manufacturing and greenhouse sectors.
- An upgrade to the existing lines between Orangeville and Barrie, to improve reliability and support economic growth in Central Ontario.
In addition, the government announced its support for upgrading existing lines between Manby and Riverside Junction in Toronto, to boost capacity and meet electricity demand in the city’s west end and downtown core.
“For Ontario’s energy-intensive industries — from greenhouses to auto manufacturing — access to affordable, secure and reliable electricity isn’t optional; it’s essential,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy Intensive Industries. “By advancing these lines, we’re leveraging Ontario’s energy advantage to power investment, support increased production and protect jobs.”
The government also reaffirmed its support for Hydro One’s commitment to 50-50 partnerships with Indigenous communities for building new large-scale transmission lines. This approach aims to promote economic reconciliation and create long-term benefits for participating Indigenous communities.
These transmission projects form part of Ontario’s upcoming Integrated Energy Plan, set to be released later this month, which will outline a comprehensive strategy for securing Ontario’s energy future and facilitating energy exports abroad.
