Hydro One has started on its planned upgrade of power transmission across Durham – from Clarington to Pickering – with residents expected to ultimately pay for the infrastructure upgrade.
The company has launched Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for new infrastructure in the region to meet growing electricity needs of the community. The projected completion date for the project is 2032.
“Electricity demand in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is growing faster than elsewhere. This is the basis behind the project,” Sonny Karunakaran, Hydro One Vice-President of Strategic Projects and Partnerships, told Durham Post.
Minimizing Footprint
He pointed out that the new 45-kilometre double-circuit 500kV line will be along the existing corridor to minimize the footprint of the project.
The proposed transmission line will run from the Bowmanville Switching Station in Clarington to Cherrywood Transformer Station in Pickering.
He said Ontario will deliver 1,000MW of clean reliable energy, which will be enough to power a region the size of eastern GTA. The Darlington small nuclear reactor (SMR) project in Clarington is projected to power 1.2 million homes (see below).
Hydro One has held a couple of open houses, feedback from which will be important for planning.
Project Timeline
Karunakaran said field studies are planned until 2027, by when a draft EA is projected to be issued. Detailed design will start in 2028 and construction works are expected from 2029 to end by 2032.
He said demand growth has been factored in. “If the growth is faster, the power will still be there. Our transmission assets are set for 50 years or so. We are flexible.”
The Hydro One VP said it is difficult at this time to put an overall number on the investment needed. “Once the studies are done, then we can determine the construction costs, somewhere around 2028/29.”
Karunakaran said just before the completion of the project, Hydro One will have rate hearings.
The project cost is more or less reflected in the power rates.
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