Hydro One (H.TO) after trade Tuesday said it filed leave-to-construct applications with the Ontario Energy Board for approval to build the Northeast Power Line and the Longwood to Lakeshore Transmission Line.
The Northeast Power Line will be a 500-kilovolt transmission line running between Greater Sudbury and near Wharncliffe. The roughly $1.8 billion project is expected to increase electricity transfer capacity between northeast and northwest Ontario by about 900 megawatts and is targeted for completion in 2029, the company said.
The Longwood to Lakeshore Transmission Line is also a 500-kV transmission line that will connect Longwood TS in Strathroy-Caradoc to Lakeshore TS in Lakeshore. The roughly $1.2 billion project is expected to deliver about 550 MW of electricity to the region, supporting local jobs and industries. It is expected to be completed in 2030, the company said.
Hydro One also said nearby First Nations will have the opportunity to invest in a 50% ownership stake in the transmission line portions of both projects through the company's First Nation Equity Partnership Model.
"Electricity demand in Ontario is increasing. These lines are part of one of the largest transmission line infrastructure investment portfolios in Canada that we are advancing together with First Nations," Executive Vice President, Capital Portfolio Delivery, Ryan Docherty said.