Priority transmission projects

Under section 96.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, the Lieutenant Governor in Council (Cabinet) can make an order declaring that a new, expanded or reinforced transmission line is needed as a priority project. Even if a transmission line is declared by Cabinet to be a priority project, OEB approval to build the line is still required. However, in these cases the OEB must accept that the project is needed. 

Use the links below to view the transmission lines that have been identified as priority projects pursuant to section 96.1 of the Act.

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New Transmission Lines in Northeastern and Eastern Ontario

Reports prepared by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in 2022 recommended the construction of new transmission lines in Northeastern and Eastern Ontario to meet expected electricity demand growth and system needs. 

By Order in Council dated October 19, 2023, the Lieutenant Governor in Council identified the following as priority transmission projects under section 96.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998:

  1. A new 230 kV transmission line from the Mississagi Transformer Station (west of Sudbury) to the Third Line Transformer Station (Sault Ste. Marie).
  2. A new 500 kV transmission line from the Mississagi Transformer Station (west of Sudbury) to the Hanmer Transformer Station (Greater Sudbury).
  3. A new 230 kV transmission line from the Dobbin Transformer Station (Peterborough) to either the Cherrywood Transformer Station (Pickering) or the Clarington Transformer Station (Oshawa).

Under cover of a letter dated October 23, 2023, the Minister of Energy transmitted to the OEB a Directive to amend the electricity transmission licence issued to Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One) to include a requirement that Hydro One proceed to develop and seek approvals for the three transmission lines listed above. The OEB issued a Decision and Order dated November 14, 2023, amending Hydro One’s licence accordingly. The scope and timing of these transmission lines by Hydro One must be in accordance with the recommendations of the IESO.

The Directive also calls on the OEB to require that Hydro One provide such reporting to the OEB on budget, timing, and risks in relation to the development of the three new transmission lines as the OEB may consider appropriate.

Quick links:

Documents related to the line from Mississagi to Third Line:

Documents related to the line from Mississagi to Hanmer:

Documents related to the line from Dobbin to Cherrywood or Clarington:

New Transmission Lines in Southwestern Ontario

Reports prepared by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in 2019 and 2021 forecast rapid growth in electricity demand in Southwestern Ontario and recommended the construction of new transmission lines to meet that growing demand. 

By Order in Council dated March 31, 2022, the Lieutenant Governor in Council identified the following as priority transmission projects under section 96.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998:

  1. A new 230 kV transmission line from the existing Chatham Switching Station (In Chatham) to the new Lakeshore Transformer Station (in the municipality of Lakeshore).  
  2. A new 230 kV transmission line from the Lambton Transformer Station (south of Sarnia) to the Chatham Switching Station.  
  3. A new 500 kV transmission line from the Longwood Transformer Station (west of London) to the Lakeshore Transformer Station.

Under cover of a letter dated April 4, 2022, the Minister of Energy transmitted to the OEB a Directive to amend the electricity transmission licence issued to Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One) to include a requirement that Hydro One proceed to develop and seek approvals for the new Lambton to Chatham line (2 above) and the new Longwood to Lakeshore line (3 above). Hydro One’s licence already contains a condition that it develop and seek approvals for the new Chatham to Lakeshore line (1 above), further to a Ministerial Directive received by the OEB on December 17, 2020, and the OEB’s related Decision and Order dated December 23, 2020. The scope and timing of these transmission lines by Hydro One must be in accordance with the recommendations of the IESO.

The Directives also call on the OEB to require that Hydro One provide such reporting to the OEB on budget, timing, and risks in relation to the development of the three new transmission lines as the OEB may consider appropriate.

Quick links:

Documents related to the Chatham to Lakeshore line:

Documents related to the Lambton to Chatham line:

Documents related to the Longwood to Lakeshore line:

New Line to Pickle Lake and Connection of Remote First Nation Communities

In the 2013 Long-Term Energy Plan, the provincial government identified that connecting remote northwestern First Nation communities is a priority for Ontario. The government also confirmed that a new line to Pickle Lake would, among other things, provide increased capacity to connect remote communities north of Pickle Lake and, for that reason, that line continues to be a key priority for Ontario.

In a letter dated July 29, 2016 (pdf), the Minister of Energy informed the OEB that the Lieutenant Governor in Council had made an order declaring that the construction of electricity transmission lines to Pickle Lake and extending north from Red Lake and Pickle Lake required to connect 16 named remote First Nation communities (Remote Communities) to the provincial electricity grid are needed as priority projects. Power in these communities is currently provided by local diesel generation.

Under cover of a letter dated July 29, 2016 (pdf), the Minister of Energy transmitted to the OEB a Directive to amend the electricity transmission licence issued to Wataynikaneyap Power LP to include a requirement that it proceed to do the following:

  • Develop and seek approvals for a transmission line, composed of a new 230 kV line originating at a point between Ignace and Dryden and terminating in Pickle Lake. The development of the line must be in accordance with the scope recommended by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
  • Develop and seek approvals for the transmission lines extending north from Red Lake and Pickle Lake required to connect the Remote Communities to the provincial electricity grid. The development of these lines must be in accordance with the scope supported by the IESO.

The Directive also calls on the OEB to require that Wataynikaneyap Power LP provide such reporting to the OEB on budget, timing, and risks in relation to the development of the transmission lines as the OEB may consider appropriate.

In light of the Directive, the OEB requested a report from the IESO that details both its recommended scope for the line to Pickle Lake and the IESO-supported scope for the transmission lines north of Pickle Lake and Red Lake. This report was received by the OEB on October 13, 2016. At page 12 of its Decision and Order on Wataynikaneyap Power LP’s application for a deferral account issued March 23, 2017, the OEB prescribed reporting which it considers appropriate with respect to budget, timing, and risks in relation to the development of the transmission lines.

Quick links:

East-West Tie

In March 2011, the Minister of Energy asked the OEB to create a process for selecting the most qualified and cost-effective transmission company to develop the East-West Tie transmission line that connects Northeast and Northwest Ontario.

The Minister of Energy advised the OEB that the Lieutenant Governor in Council made an order effective March 4, 2016 (pdf) declaring that the construction of the East-West Tie transmission line is needed as a priority project.

Transmission Infrastructure: East-West Tie Line (EB-2011-0140 / EB-2015-0216)

Applications for construction of the line and upgrading of station facilities have been filed. Learn more.

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