Hydro One Files for Approval on $430M Ontario Transmission Line Targeting 2029 In-Service Date
According to the Daily Commercial News, Hydro One Networks Inc. has filed a leave-to-construct application with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) seeking approval to build the Durham Kawartha Power Line, a $430 million transmission project in Ontario.
Project Scope and Timeline
The proposed line will run approximately 55 kilometres as a double-circuit, 230-kilovolt transmission corridor connecting the Clarington Transformer Station to Dobbin Transformer Station in Peterborough County. Hydro One says the investment “is expected to create jobs during construction and, once complete, will increase the overall transfer capability of the transmission system, support growth and deliver reliable power to communities across Peterborough, Quinte West and into the Ottawa region.” The line is targeted for in-service in 2029.
The application was filed under Section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, which requires electricity transmitters to obtain OEB approval before constructing, expanding, or reinforcing transmission infrastructure. The filing includes details on the project’s route, design, timing, and cost. Proximate First Nations communities will also have the opportunity to invest in a 50% equity stake in the transmission line component, with Hydro One and those Nations collaborating on planning, development, and construction.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- The $430 million budget and 55-kilometre corridor represent a multi-year construction window for utility subcontractors specializing in transmission line work, civil site prep, and electrical installation across the Clarington-to-Peterborough route.
- The 2029 in-service target means construction procurement and contractor selection will likely ramp up in the 2026-2027 period, giving subcontractors time to position now.
- The First Nations equity partnership adds a layer of Indigenous engagement requirements to the project, and subcontractors bidding on work should expect those obligations to be reflected in contract terms.
- Ontario’s OEB approval process is still pending, so subcontractors should monitor the application’s progress before committing significant bid resources.
