Hydro One completes transmission line upgrades in Ottawa
Hydro One announced on November 23 that it has completed $47 million worth of transmission line upgrades at the Merivale Transmission Station in Ottawa.
The upgrades will increase the electrical capacity of the power lines by 66 per cent, from 650MW to 1,080MW. The project also allows for generation facilities in eastern Ontario to transfer more power to the rest of the province and import more clean energy from Quebec. The upgrades also improve resiliency of the electricity network and improve reliability for residents, business, commercial and industrial customers.
The investment included reinforcing the transmission towers and replacing power lines and insulators on 12 kms of 230kV double circuit transmission line between Merivale Transmission Station and Hawthorne Transmission Station. The project began in July 2020.
In addition to the improvements, Hydro One is working to modernize the Merivale Transmission Station to ensure it can supply clean, reliable energy as the region continues to grow.
The work includes expanding the current footprint of the station to house two new 230 kilovolt transformers and a new operations building.
"As we further our commitment toward climate adaptation and ensuring our grid can support the energy transition and shift toward electrification, we are proud to be collaborating with our colleagues at Hydro One for this announcement, knowing we are making life better for our customers and our community," said Guillaume Paradis, Chief Electricity Distribution Officer, Hydro Ottawa. "Increasing the capacity, reliability and resiliency of our transmission network is a vital step to ensuring the distribution system in Ottawa can provide the power needed now and in the future."