Ontario is fast-tracking construction of a major new transmission line between Barrie and Sudbury, declaring the project as a provincial priority and formally designating Hydro One to build it in partnership with First Nations along the corridor.
The proposed single-circuit, 500-kilovolt transmission line will run roughly 290 kilometres from the Essa Transformer Station near Barrie to the Hanmer Transformer Station outside Sudbury.
Once complete, the line is expected to deliver up to 1,500 megawatts of electricity to northern Ontario and 1,000 megawatts south, helping to relieve a growing transmission bottleneck and support mining, electrification and industrial expansion across the north.
The province says the project will create more than 9,000 jobs, with Hydro One committing to source the majority of materials and services from Canadian suppliers.
Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff announced the move alongside Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce and leaders from the Energy Corridor First Nations (ECFN), a growing consortium of First Nations whose territories lie along the proposed route.
“Transmission investments are a crucial part of our plan to meet growing electricity demand across Ontario,” Oosterhoff said, pointing to rising industrial demand and long-term population growth in northern communities.
According to the Independent Electricity System Operator, electricity demand in northern Ontario is projected to rise by 81 per cent by 2050, driven in large part by mining expansion and electrification. Industry projections suggest as many as 41 new mines could open by 2033, overwhelming infrastructure that was originally designed to serve smaller, widely dispersed communities.
The Barrie-to-Sudbury line represents the first phase of a two-stage plan recommended by the IESO. The initial line is expected to be in service by 2032, while early development work will begin on a second parallel line to allow capacity to expand more quickly if demand continues to grow.
The province has issued multiple orders-in-council to formally designate Hydro One as the transmitter and to classify the first line as a priority project to reduce regulatory delays. Consultation on the project has already taken place through the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
Local leaders and industry groups welcomed the announcement, saying the project will be critical to unlocking housing, industrial development and investment across northern Ontario.
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall and Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre both said the line is essential infrastructure for long-term growth in their regions.
“The Barrie–Sudbury Transmission Project is a major win for our city and the Greater Barrie Area,” Mayor Nuttall said. “It will create more than 9,000 jobs, support economic growth, and ensure Barrie continues to be a strong, thriving community.”