Hydro One is seeking community input on three routes for two new transmission lines planned between Strathroy-Caradoc and Lakeshore.
Five community open houses will be held by Hydro One in late March and early April to share project updates and present route alternatives to gather local feedback to evaluate the route alternatives and select a preferred route proposed for the Longwood to Lakeshore project.
Hydro One Vice President of Strategic Projects and Partnerships Sonny Karunakaran said the company plans to conduct additional studies and continue to gather input from Indigenous communities, elected officials, property owners, businesses, residents, and other interest groups to better evaluate the routes and select the preferred route for the project, which is anticipated in early 2025.
Karunakaran said Hydro One is working directly with local Indigenous communities to ensure engagement is reflective of and in line with community protocols, adding feedback is critical as the company develops the new project.
“We continue to seek local input as we expand electrical infrastructure to bring more power to southwest Ontario. The feedback informs our project planning, from developing and evaluating route alternatives resulting in the selection of a preferred route to design and construction activities,” said Karunakaran. “This critical investment will support a growing region and ensure that electricity is available when and where it’s needed, today and in the future.”
Hydro One said development of the route alternatives were based on local knowledge and input collected over the last year, including existing electricity infrastructure, areas of historical significance and hunting, trapping and harvesting for the Indigenous culture, the proximity to buildings, agricultural lands and known cultural heritage resources, and wildlife habitat, designated natural areas, and bodies of water.
“We are pleased that the Longwood to Lakeshore project is advancing as this expansion will help us meet the rapid growth of electricity demand in southwest Ontario. We appreciate Hydro One’s focus on engaging with local communities and inviting feedback from our community,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff. “We look forward to access of clean and reliable energy and want to ensure our community and residents are involved throughout the project.”
Community open houses will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church, 85 William Street South, Chatham, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Comber Community Centre, 6211 McAllaster Street, Comber, Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brunner Community Centre, 32 Wallace Street, Thamesville, and Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Glencoe Agricultural Hall, 268 Currie Street, Glencoe.
A virtual open house will also be hosted by Hydro One on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 7 to 8 p.m. for those who can't attend the in-person dates. Click here to register for the virtual meeting.
The transmission line project between Strathroy-Caradoc and Lakeshore is part of a network of infrastructure projects across southwest Ontario that will play a critical role in unlocking the region’s local economic potential and growth.
“This project is critical to help meet the energy demand of our region, which is largely driven by economic development in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors,” said Ontario Federation of Agriculture President Drew Spoelstra. “Hydro One has been proactively engaging with stakeholders to gather feedback, and we will continue to work closely with them to ensure the interests of farmers and farmland owners are considered and involved during the planning and development of the project.”
The first Longwood to Lakeshore line is expected to be in service by 2030 and will deliver an additional 550 megawatts of power to the region, which is enough electricity to energize a city the size of London, Ontario. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) projects that energy demand in southwest Ontario will quadruple by 2035. Construction of Line 2 and an in-service date has yet to be determined upon further planning by the IESO.
If you received a letter stating your property may be impacted, Hydro One emphasized that the preferred route has not been selected and individual property impacts have not yet been determined.
"We are communicating early with potentially impacted landowners along each of the route alternatives to make them aware and ensure their feedback is included in our assessment," said Hydro One. "Once a preferred route is selected, the Hydro One Real Estate team will work with directly affected property owners."
Property owners can contact Hydro One at Community.Relations@HydroOne.com or call 1-877-345-6799 to setup a one-on-one meeting.
Hydro One noted it will offer five First Nations a 50 per cent equity stake in the transmission line component of the project as part of the company's pathway towards Reconciliation and is committed to working to advance the project in partnership.
For more information about the project, including how the planning of this project will follow the Environmental Assessment process for transmission facilities, visit www.HydroOne.com/Longwood-to-Lakeshore.