The Ontario government and Hydro One are celebrating the completion of construction on the Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line one year ahead of schedule.
This new investment, valued at an estimated $237-million, will increase the reliability and resiliency of the grid and bring 400 megawatts (MW) of clean and affordable electricity to the Windsor-Essex Region, enough energy to power the entire City of Windsor, Provincial officials say.
According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator, electricity demand in the Windsor-Essex region is expected to more than double over the next 20 years, being driven largely by agricultural and industrial growth.
A new transmission line provides certainty for growing industries, including the new Stellantis-LGES battery plant in Windsor.
“Our government is powering the incredible growth in Southwestern Ontario with new transmission infrastructure delivered a year ahead of schedule,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification, in a media release.
“Our focus on ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy is key to ensuring businesses, including the new Stellantis-LGES battery plant and the growing greenhouse sector, remain competitive in the face of potential U.S. tariffs.”
Construction began in spring 2023 on the 49-kilometre, 230-kilovolt line between Chatham Switching Station in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the new Lakeshore Transformer Station in the Municipality of Lakeshore.
By completing the project early, Hydro One was able to reduce the cost of the project by approximately $30-million, Provincial official say.
The new transmission line has also been a significant opportunity to build economic partnerships and advance reconciliation with First Nations communities, which is key to successful energy infrastructure development in the province. Five local First Nations have the opportunity to invest in a 50 per cent equity stake in the transmission line component of the project once complete, through Hydro One’s Equity Partnership model.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for Chatham-Kent-Leamington and all of southwest Ontario,” said Trevor Jones, MPP Chatham-Kent-Leamington, in a media release.
“The new transmission line from Chatham-Kent to Lakeshore is a transformative project that will create hundreds of good-paying jobs and provide a reliable foundation for clean energy development. This investment brings us closer to a prosperous future, ensuring our communities have the support and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Ontario is investing to build transmission infrastructure that meets domestic economic needs while supporting the government’s plan to build Fortress Am-Can, a renewed strategic alliance between Canada and the United States that will achieve Am-Can energy security, and act as a beacon of stability, security and long-term prosperity for both countries. The Windsor-Detroit interconnection represents on average 5,000 to 7,000 MWh of flow per day.
This new line will continue to play a crucial role in maintaining the existing interchange capability between Ontario and Michigan.
“This project is a shining example of what we can achieve when we collaborate and work together with Indigenous communities, the province, municipalities, residents, and landowners to deliver critical electricity infrastructure projects,” said David Lebeter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro One, in a media release.
“Electricity is the backbone of our economy. This line is the first of five new transmission lines in southwest Ontario that will support growth and security in our local supply chains and continue to make Ontario an attractive place to live and invest.”
The Chatham to Lakeshore Line is a 49 kilometre 230-kilovolt line from Chatham Switching Station to the new Lakeshore Transformer Station.
It will enable new customer connections and increase the reliability and resiliency of the entire electricity network in the Windsor-Essex region, Provincial officials added.
