Hydro One launches community-engagement process for Darlington transmission line
Hydro One has kicked off the process by which it proposes to build a transmission line connecting the planned new nuclear project at Darlington with Ontario’s electricity grid.
The utility announced on March 27 that it has launched the community-engagement process to build the 22-kilometre line in Clarington.
As the of this engagement, Hydro One says it will collaborate with Indigenous communities to provide information on the project, answer questions and listen to feedback.
The company held its first community open house in Courtice on March 8, where residents and businesses had the opportunity to learn more about the proposed transmission line.
During the session, Hydro One provided information about the environment assessment process and listened to residents who had feedback about the project.
"This critical project will ensure Ontario remains an attractive place to invest, live and work," said Daniel Levitan, Vice President of Stakeholder Relations, Hydro One. "Early engagement with Indigenous communities, municipalities and residents is vital to project planning and we received some valuable, informative feedback from this Community Open House. We encourage the community to ask questions and continue to bring us their feedback throughout the duration of this project to support the growing needs of the region and province."
The Connect New Darlington project would tie Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) proposed grid-scale, small modular reactor to the province's electricity grid.
"OPG is proud to be working with its project partners to construct and connect North America's first Small Modular Reactor, which is key to achieving economy-wide decarbonization by 2050," said Carol Gregoris, Project Director, OPG. "Hydro One's proposed transmission line will increase the power supply to the region and allow for the SMR to connect to Ontario's electricity grid."
The utility also initiated a class environmental assessment for the project.
The line would be carry up to 500 kilovolts, and provide 300 megawatts of power to Clarington – enough to energize 300,000 homes.
The line will be built within the current electrical corridor, adjacent to existing transmission lines that are located between OPG's Darlington facility and Hydro One's Clarington Transformer Station.
Construction is planned to start in late 2024 and be completed in 2027.