Major Transmission Projects Planned For Northern Ontario
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Major Transmission Projects

Major Transmission Projects Planned For Northern Ontario McGuinty Government’s Green Energy Plan Creating Jobs

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THUNDER BAY - Ontario is asking Hydro One to immediately proceed with planning and implementing major transmission projects across the province, including Northern Ontario, which will create jobs and build the green economy.
A series of 10 transmission projects and investments in the Northern distribution network are expected to create over 6,000 jobs in the region and will unlock significant opportunities for greener, cleaner electricity. Nearly half of the $2.3 billion investment to be spent by Hydro One on transmission and distribution projects over the next three years will occur in Northern Ontario.
An upgraded northern transmission and distribution grid will be able to support over 3,000 megawatts of renewable resources, such as wind, hydroelectric and solar power, by 2020. The investments are also expected to grow industry and open up the potential for future connection of First Nation communities.
Six core transmission network upgrades are moving forward, including an East–West line from Nipigon to Wawa, and a North-South line from Sudbury to Barrie. These projects will strengthen the backbone of Ontario’s electricity grid and help ensure there is enough transmission capability for renewable generation resulting from the province’s Green
Energy Act.
In addition to bringing more renewable power online, these significant upgrades will strengthen the reliability of Ontario’s transmission system, increase energy trade across the province and beyond our borders and could one day lead to a national East-West grid.

QUOTES

“This move will harness one of Northern Ontario’s greatest assets – our renewable energy resources. It builds a critical foundation for the directions of the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario”Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry

“Enhancing our transmission grid is critical to taking advantage of green energy. Resources like wind and hydro aren’t often where the people are, and this plan will ensure we can bring renewable green power to the people of Ontario.”
George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and
Infrastructure

“We’re ready to move quickly in enhancing and renewing our transmission and distribution networks. Hydro One has always provided world class electricity delivery to the people of Ontario, and our plans for the future will maintain that proud history.”

Laura Formusa, President and CEO of Hydro One

QUICK FACTS

§ Northern Ontario is home to approximately 4,700 megawatts (MW) or 13 per cent of Ontario’s current electricity-generating capacity.
§ The North contains about 40 per cent of Ontario’s current stock of developed hydro capacity
§ Northwestern  Ontario has approximately 1,400 MW of generation capacity
§ Northeastern  Ontario has approximately 3,300 MW of generation capacity

LEARN MORE

For more information, visit:
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure at www.mei.gov.on.ca
Hydro One at www.hydroone.com


“ The potential to produce much, more green energy in the province of Ontario than here to fore was the case is excellent but also there is  a significant economic pie attached to this in terms of economic activity and job creation in Northern Ontario.” said Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay Atikokan.
   “ It will enhance and modernize the transmission system of this province which is clearly critical to the advancement of this province Many of our energy resources are herein the NW Ontario harnessing the wind  It will ensure green power in the province of Ontario.” said
Michael Gravelle, Miniister of Northern Devlopment, Mines and Forestry.
   “ The  energy announcement today is a building block, a stepping stone. I am excited about the opportunities to enhance our transmission capabilities.  As the planning goes along, are we going to be able to place these lines in places to maximize the small opportunities to tie
in, making sure the route maximizes economic development.  We have an excess capacity of electricity now. How will we market ourselves and the regional pricing issues are important.  We look at the econmic opportunities in the north with minerals. It would be good to process
our material here but not export all raw materials. We must do everything we can to maintain the jobs here in NW Ontario.” said Harold Wilson, President and CEO Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce newly  to the job August 31st, 2009.  “  I have gone away three times but am a
lifelong resident of Thunder Bay and am very excited about the new position taking a look at the challenges  that are there. One of the main things  is we are a strong chamber and have been for a long time. I see my job as taking a look at opportunities that may need some recalibration. Some of the areas that I am enthusiastic about are the committees with great involvement from our members who  are working to make a stronger business climate. My goal is to make a strategic frame work for some of these new initiatiives in areas such as small business, taxation  and governance. We want to help business people make investments here and hire more people. That is something the Chamber of Commerce  does and is right up our alley. There is a lot of interest out there for investment here. Some of it is waiting for the green flag to go ahead.”
  “ Selling to government offers great opportunities for local business. We just  need to get more involved with procurement people in the government.  There are some huge strategic issues that have to be addressed but some opportunities as well. Some of the issues of the
forestry industry have been long predicted. Commodities have been a tough game for a long time. The demand was there in the past but it doesn’t take much of a change in terms of demand to have profitability fail . We need to take a look at the resources we have and maximize the value  whether they be raw resources, amenities, the institutions and  the buildings.”



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