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BARRIE, ONT. — Another transmission line project is being expedited by the Ontario government.

The Barrie to Sudbury transmission line has been designated as a priority project with Hydro One chosen to develop and construct the new single-circuit 500-kilovolt line that will run approximately 290 kilometres from the Essa Transformer Station near Barrie to the Hanmer Transformer Station in Sudbury.

The line is anticipated to create capacity to deliver up to 1,500 MW to the north and 1,000 MW to the south, a release reads.

The Independent Electricity System Operator has recommended a two-phase approach:

• Phase one is a single-circuit 500-kilovolt transmission line running 290 kilometres from Barrie to Sudbury, that is expected to be in-service in 2032.
• Phase two is a second single-circuit 500-kilovolt line that will undergo early development work at this time to ensure the project can materialize quickly when more transmission capacity between northern and southern Ontario is needed, the release notes.

The Barrie to Sudbury line will create more than 9,000 jobs and is expected to provide significant partnership and participation opportunities for Indigenous communities.

First Nations will also have access to Hydro One’s First Nations Equity Partnership Model, which will include First Nation leadership in decision-making and 50 per cent ownership of the line.

News of this project follows a provincial announcement in late January where Hydro One was selected to construct the Greenstone Transmission Line.