Notice of Commencement - Sudbury Barrie Transmission Line Project

FROM HYDRO ONE:

Hydro One is formally sharing the Notice of Commencement for the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Sudbury Barrie Transmission Line (SBTL) Project. This notice formally launches the EA process and marks an important step forward for this project. The project is being planned in accordance with the Class EA for Transmission Facilities (2024) under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The project will also require Ontario Energy Board (OEB) approval under Section 92 (Leave to Construct) of the OEB Act.

As per the attached Notice of Commencement, Hydro One is planning to construct a new single-circuit 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line, in collaboration with First Nation Partners, between the Hanmer Transformer Station (TS) near Sudbury, and Essa TS near Barrie. As part of the same project, Hydro One is also starting early development work on a second line to be ready to build when future electricity demand requires it. The first new line and associated station facility expansions must be in service by 2032. This new infrastructure will support new generation opportunities in the north, strengthen reliability, foster economic development, and ensure a stable electricity supply for the increased need anticipated in northern Ontario.

Since Hydro One announced the Project in April, they have been working diligently on collecting data, listening to the community, and incorporating feedback to expand their knowledge and understanding of the original project study area. The result is a new focused study area, which can be found on the Project website: HydroOne.com/SBTL.

The focused study area represents the area where routes are most likely to be developed and studied in detail as the Class EA proceeds. Recognizing the sheer size of the focused study area, Hydro One believes that taking additional time at this stage will help ensure more informed and responsible decision-making.