PUC Transmission to build $100M transmission line
Sault Ste. Marie’s PUC Transmission has announced an investment of $100 million to build transmission facilities in the city’s west end to help power Algoma Steel Inc’s new electric-arc furnaces.
The new high-voltage line will help facilitate electricity transmission from the city's north end to a new transmission station near Algoma Steel – a distance of approximately 10.5 kilometres.
The 230-kilovolt line will support the steel plant and its $700-million project to build and operate two new state-of-the-art electric-arc furnaces. Algoma Steel Inc. says its investment will lead to a 70-percent reduction in carbon emissions.
"I would like to commend the leadership team at Algoma Steel on their investment and commitment to significantly reduce the steel plant’s carbon footprint in our community,” said PUC president and CEO Rob Brewer. "Future generations will reap the benefits of this positive decision by the leadership of Algoma Steel.”
Montreal-based infrastructure-investment management firm Axium Infrastructure will partner with PUC Transmission on the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The work will create as many as 20 local jobs.
“PUC Services Inc. will play a significant role in the electric arc steelmaking project in the construction of transmission facilities creating a return and value for the City of Sault Ste. Marie and our residents,” said Mayor Christian Provenzano.
“Reducing the carbon footprint within Sault Ste. Marie is a goal of PUC and this is a great opportunity to help one of the largest employers in our community do so while improving the service we offer to the west end of the city," said Andy McPhee, Chair of PUC Transmission. “With the announcement of our Sault Smart Grid and now our partnership with Algoma Steel Inc. the community can be proud of all the hard work the employees at PUC have been accomplishing with a focus on making the Sault a greener community.”