Facing rapidly rising electricity demand in Toronto, the Ford government has approved plans to build Ontario’s first high-voltage underwater transmission line, running from near the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in Bowmanville to the city’s downtown core and eastern waterfront.
Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said this Wednesday he has signed off on a recommendation from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to move forward with the project, which would add 900 megawatts of electricity capacity to Toronto’s grid, enough to power roughly 900,000 homes.
Lecce said the government will now direct the IESO to launch a competitive procurement process this year, with a preferred transmitter expected to be selected in 2027.