- Feedback is critical as the company
develops the new Longwood to Lakeshore project –
CHATHAM-KENT, ON, March 6,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro
One) announced it is seeking input from Indigenous communities,
elected officials, property owners, businesses, residents and other
interest groups on three route alternatives proposed for the
Longwood to Lakeshore project. Later this month, the company is
planning to host five community open houses to share project
updates and present route alternatives to gather local input to
evaluate the route alternatives and select a preferred route. The
company is working directly with local Indigenous communities to
ensure engagement is reflective of and in line with community
protocols.
"We continue to seek local input as we expand electrical
infrastructure to bring more power to southwest Ontario. The feedback informs our project
planning, from developing and evaluating route alternatives
resulting in the selection of a preferred route to design and
construction activities," said Sonny
Karunakaran, Vice President, Strategic Projects and
Partnerships, Hydro One. "This critical investment will support a
growing region and ensure that electricity is available when and
where it's needed, today and in the future."
The route alternatives were developed based on local knowledge
and input collected over the last year in the following areas:
- Technical factors including existing electricity
infrastructure
- Indigenous culture and value factors including areas of
historical significance and hunting, trapping and harvesting
areas
- Social and economic factors including the proximity to
buildings, agricultural lands and known cultural heritage
resources
- Natural environment factors including wildlife habitat,
designated natural areas and waterbodies
Hydro One plans to conduct additional studies and continues to
gather feedback on the route alternatives to support the route
evaluation stage and selection of the preferred route for the
project, which is anticipated in early 2025.
Community Open Houses
In-person:
- Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from
4 to 8 p.m. at St. Andrew's United
Church, 85 William Street South, Chatham,
ON
- Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from
4 to 8 p.m. at Comber Community
Centre, 6211 McAllaster Street, Comber,
ON
- Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from
4 to 8 p.m. at Brunner Community
Centre, 32 Wallace Street, Thamesville,
ON
- Thursday, April 4, 2024 from
4 to 8 p.m. Glencoe Agricultural
Hall, 268 Currie Street, Glencoe,
ON
Virtual:
- Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from
7 to 8 p.m. Register here.
The Longwood to Lakeshore project, between the Municipality of
Strathroy-Caradoc and the Municipality of Lakeshore, is part of a
network of infrastructure projects across southwest Ontario that will play a critical role in
unlocking the region's local economic potential and growth. As part
of the company's pathway towards Reconciliation, Hydro One will
offer five First Nations a 50 per cent equity stake in the
transmission line component of the project and is committed to
working to advance the project in partnership.
The first Longwood to Lakeshore line is expected to be in
service by 2030 and will deliver an additional 550 megawatts of
power to the region, which is enough electricity to energize life
in a city the size of London,
Ontario. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
projects that energy demand in southwest Ontario will quadruple by 2035.
For more information about the project, including how the
planning of this project will follow the "Class Environmental
Assessment for Transmission Facilities" (Class EA for TF, 2024),
established in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment
Act, please visit www.HydroOne.com/Longwood-to-Lakeshore.
QUOTES
"This project is critical to help meet the energy demand of
our region, which is largely driven by economic development in the
agriculture and manufacturing sectors," said Drew Spoelstra, President, Ontario Federation of
Agriculture. "Hydro One has been proactively engaging with
stakeholders to gather feedback, and we will continue to work
closely with them to ensure the interests of farmers and farmland
owners are considered and involved during the planning and
development of the project."
"We are pleased that the Longwood to Lakeshore project is
advancing as this expansion will help us meet the rapid growth of
electricity demand in southwest Ontario. We appreciate Hydro One's focus on
engaging with local communities and inviting feedback from our
community," said Darrin Canniff,
Mayor, Municipality of Chatham-Kent. "We look forward to access of
clean and reliable energy and want to ensure our community and
residents are involved throughout the project."
Hydro One Limited (TSX: H)
Hydro One Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is
Ontario's largest electricity
transmission and distribution provider with approximately 1.5
million valued customers, approximately $32.8 billion in assets as at December 31, 2023, and annual revenues in 2023 of
approximately $7.8 billion.
Our team of approximately 9,700 skilled and dedicated employees
proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system
which is essential to supporting strong and successful communities.
In 2023, Hydro One invested approximately $2.5 billion in its transmission and distribution
networks, and supported the economy through buying approximately
$2.5 billion of goods and
services.
We are committed to the communities where we live and work
through community investment, sustainability and diversity
initiatives.
Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the TSX and
certain of Hydro One Inc.'s medium term notes are listed on the
NYSE. Additional information can be accessed at www.hydroone.com,
www.sedarplus.com or www.sec.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements and Information:
This press
release may contain "forward-looking information" within the
meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as "expect",
"anticipate", "intend", "attempt", "may", "plan", "will", "can",
"believe", "seek", "estimate", and variations of such words and
similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
information. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and
uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual
outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed,
implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of
the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ
materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by
such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions
used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro
One's filings with the securities regulatory authorities in
Canada, which are available on
SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Hydro One does not intend, and it
disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking
information, except as required by law.
SOURCE Hydro One Inc.