By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Ontario’s need for electricity is growing, Sonny Karunakaran, Hydro One’s Vice President of Strategic Projects and Partnerships, stated when sharing the utility’s preferred route for the proposed Longwood to Lakeshore Transmission Line project.
The announcement took place virtually last Wednesday afternoon.
While the Independent System Electricity Operator anticipates the province’s electricity demand will grow around 75% in the next 25-years, demand is expected to quadruple in Southwestern Ontario, Karunakaran, explained.
That growth is expected to come from a number of factors, Karunakaran said, including industrial automation plants, greenhouses, residential developments, and various economic development opportunities that continue to come into the region.
A number of projects have been identified for southwestern Ontario to address that demand, including the Chatham-Lakeshore project that was energized in 2024, which was completed one-year ahead of schedule and around $30M under budget, and the Longwood to Lakeshore Transmission Line.
This network of projects is expected to improve resiliency and reliability, economic growth and investment, and support for local industry and the ag sector.
The preferred Longwood to Lakeshore Transmission Line includes two new single-circuit, around 118km, 500-kilovolt transmission lines connecting the Longwood Transformer Station in Strathroy-Caradoc to the Municipality of Lakeshore.
Hydro One has identified the preferred route for the project as “3B,” which scored the highest based on a series of categories. This route will minimize vegetation removal, will be the least impactful to surface water resources and aquatic habitats, and lowers potential effects to species at risk and species and habitats of concern.
It also had the least impact on residential and commercial properties, and would cross fewer features of archeological and cultural heritage potential, including the avoidance of the North Buxton National Historic Site. In terms of Indigenous culture and land use, the preferred route also had the least impact on native and rare species and their habitats.
Benefits of the route include maximizing use of existing transmission corridors, the shortest line-length which would result in lower material cost, and minimizing impact on residential properties.
Hydro One continues to engage with conservation authorities, municipalities, and other infrastructure companies, and the public on the project.
Engagement and development activities will continue throughout the lifecycle of this project.
Construction is expected to commence in 2027. Once the line is in service, which is expected to be by 2030, it is anticipated to bring around 550 megawatts of electricity to the region, “which is enough to power the city the size of London, Ontario,” Karunakaran said.
An interactive map on the project website www.hydroone.com/about/corporate-information/major-projects/longwood-to-lakeshore allows users to zoom in and view the preferred route.
Background on the project includes conducting a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) in 2024, meant to help determine how a new piece of critical infrastructure will impact Indigenous communities, residents, and community spaces, Karunakaran added.
It included consultation and engagement with Indigenous communities, government officials and agencies, and interested persons or organizations. It also allows for the evaluation of alternative routes and an assessment of the existing environment and ways to mitigate potential effects.
Since, Hydro One has continued to collect important environmental and technical information, Karunakaran explained.
Once this portion of the project is completed, Karunakaran noted Hydro One will submit an Environmental Study Report to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks. Before the project is built, permits to construct will be applied through the Ontario Energy Board.
The Independent Electricity System Operator will determine the in-service date for the second line through its regional planning process, Karunakaran explained.
Hydro One continues to advance development for both lines and streamline engagement with landowners to minimize the project’s footprint and identify opportunities to reduce overall project costs.
Karunakaran added Hydro One will work closely with directly impacted property owners, residents, and communities along the route.
Residents and members of the community are invited to learn more about the preferred route and engage with the project team at upcoming community open houses, including a virtual open house on the project website on Thursday, May 15, from 7 to 8pm. There will also be four in-person open houses, including one on Thursday, June 5, from 4 to 7pm at the Tilbury Community Centre.
Those who need to connect outside the open houses, can do so by emailing Hydro One through the project website.
In a statement Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey prepared in regards the announcement, she noted Council understands that any major critical infrastructure project, like the Longwood to Lakeshore Transmission Line, will have some impact on communities, residents, and specific property owners.
“To balance the impact on our community members, Council supported entering into a Community Support Agreement (CSA) with Hydro One in August of 2023. As part of that agreement, Lakeshore will benefit from receiving $8M towards new local investments, including $5.8M to directly support culture and recreation projects in the communities affected by the project.
Over the past two-years, Mayor Bailey continued, the community of Comber has already noticed these investments take shape, including improvements to the war memorial in the heart of Comber, the purchase of a plot of land at 6311 Main Street for the future home of a gathering and event space, and new sidewalks to improve walkability within Comber.
As part of the CSA, Lakeshore has also committed to working with Hydro One to identify concerns and routing solutions throughout the Environmental Assessment process. As part of that work, Lakeshore Administration has participated in Technical Advisory Committee Workshops related to these critical infrastructure projects.
Lakeshore residents are encouraged to participate in either the Virtual Open House on May 15 and/or attend one of the in-person events.
“These events are an opportunity to ask questions and understand Hydro One’s route evaluation process,” Bailey added.
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