Wednesday, June 11, 2025
The Government of Ontario is building two new transmission lines and two major transmission upgrades to ensure the province has the power it needs to meet growing energy demand.
“Ontario is growing fast and so is our energy demand,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “That’s why we’re planning early and advancing approximately 160 km of new and upgraded transmission lines to connect people and businesses to the affordable, secure, reliable and clean energy they’ll need in the years ahead. After announcing the largest nuclear expansion in Ontario history, we are building for the future by advancing one of the largest transmission expansions in Ontario history. This is part of Ontario’s long-term integrated plan for economic self-reliance.”
To meet this growing demand, the government is launching consultations on proposals to prioritize three transmission projects. These projects will deliver more power to growing communities — including in the Greater Toronto Area, Windsor-Essex, Central Ontario and Eastern Ontario — helping to connect new small modular reactors (SMRs), boost local manufacturing, support greenhouse operations and improve grid reliability.
Declaring these as priority projects would streamline Ontario Energy Board (OEB) reviews and enable faster approvals and development for the following critical transmission lines:
- A new line from Bowmanville to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), to connect new generation in Eastern Ontario — including Darlington SMRs 2, 3 and 4 — to Ontario’s grid.
- A new line from Windsor to Lakeshore, to meet fast-growing regional demand in Windsor-Essex and drive continued growth in manufacturing and greenhouse industries.
- An upgrade to existing lines between Orangeville and Barrie, to improve reliability and support economic development in Central Ontario while maintaining system capability for electricity transfer between Ontario’s northern and southern regions.
The province is also announcing its support for upgrades to existing lines between Manby and Riverside Junction in Toronto, to increase capacity and support continued electricity demand growth in Toronto’s west end and downtown core.
“For Ontario’s energy-intensive industries — from greenhouses to auto manufacturing — access to affordable, secure and reliable electricity isn’t optional – it’s essential,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy Intensive Industries. “By advancing these lines, we’re leveraging Ontario’s energy advantage to unleash the full potential of our economy and ensure the energy system can power investment, support increased production and protect jobs.”
Featured image: (Government of Ontario)
